Here’s a new baseball adage: Don’t try to steal home on a 3-0 count with the bases loaded against a pitcher who can’t find the strike zone.
The Mariners’ Victor Robles made a late entry into the “dumbest game of the year” competition Tuesday night when he saved Yankees starter Luis Gil’s attempt to steal home in the first inning, only to be thrown out and end Seattle’s threat in an eventual 11-2 loss.
Justin Turner, at bat at the time, didn’t seem happy with Robles’ actions as Seattle trailed 2-0.
To top it off, Robles left the game for a pinch hitter before his next at-bat after being hit in his first at-bat while also dealing with a right leg issue, according to MLB.com.
“Vic is an aggressive player, there’s no doubt about it, and that’s part of his game,” Mariners interim manager Dan Wilson said. “It’s a situation where you have to know you’re going to get there. He just got his hand in there, but he couldn’t get there safely. Hopefully he can bounce back tomorrow.”
The play helped the Yankees’ momentum after scoring two runs in the top of the first inning and Gil, who had absolutely no idea where the ball was going in the first inning, calmed down to allow just one run in five innings.
Gil had already hit Robles and allowed two walks to load the bases before trailing 3-0 to Turner. He threw 15 balls in his first 24 pitches.
Yet Robles, for some reason, decided to get aggressive and try to catch Seattle’s first run when he saw Gil turn his back to the plate to grab the rosin.
However, Robles didn’t fully commit until Gil turned his body halfway toward home plate, allowing the starter to pull to catcher Austin Wells to tag Robles for the final out.
“He obviously likes to put pressure on the defense,” Wilson said. “And that’s part of his game. It was a very aggressive play and, again, a play you want to make sure you’re there. And he just couldn’t get into the game.”
YES announcer Michael Kay and MLB.com both reported that Turner seemed quite unhappy with the turn of events.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous, 3-0, and Justin Turner is looking into the dugout as if to say, ‘Really?'” Kay said.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the Yankees had a break and immediately took advantage, doubling their lead to 4-0 in the top of the second inning on a two-run single by Aaron Judge.
Seattle’s last chance came in the third inning, when they scored two runs in a 4-1 game, but Gil got out of the situation, this time without any baserunner help.
“A 3-0 count, it felt like a big break, a little gift for us,” Boone said. “It helped Luis get off the ropes and he was able to settle in and do enough to give us a solid five.”
