Javier Baez helped Chicago Cubs score on a play you’ve never seen before

His nickname is El Mago (The Magician) for a motive.

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez was at it once more Thursday, creating havoc on the basepaths that led to 2 runs for his crew — the distinction in a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“It truly is a magic act,” supervisor David Ross stated with a smile after the sport. “He simply creates havoc.”

It’s a play you’ll seemingly by no means see once more.

With Cubs catcher Willson Contreras on second base with two outs within the prime of the third inning, Baez hit a routine floor ball to 3rd baseman Erik Gonzalez. Gonzalez’s throw to first baseman Will Craig was up the baseline a bit of, however Craig was capable of catch the ball with Baez standing proper in entrance of him.

“My first thought was to go headfirst, just about out of the baseline, however the throw obtained there so early,” Baez defined. “I used to be simply attempting to make Willy rating despite the fact that there have been two outs.”

So Baez started backtracking towards residence to keep away from the tag. Craig adopted him down the road, though he might have merely stepped on first base and ended the inning.

“I simply improvise,” Baez stated. “In the intervening time I can react fairly quick.”

With Baez slowing down as he approached residence, Contreras got here steaming towards the plate from the third-base facet. As an alternative of tagging Baez, and even going again to first to step on the bag, Craig flipped the ball to Pirates catcher Michael Perez as Contreras got here sliding residence safely. Baez was nonetheless simply a few toes away from residence — and he signaled Contreras was protected earlier than taking off on a return journey towards first.

“He [Craig] removed the ball,” Baez stated. “I didn’t know if I’ve to [run] as a result of I obtained right into a rundown.”

The truth is, Baez did must run. If he hadn’t reached first base safely, then Contreras’ run wouldn’t have counted. So Baez took off whereas Perez had the ball at residence, with Craig only a few toes away.

Perez tried to throw the ball to second baseman Adam Frazier, who simply now was shifting over to cowl first. The connection didn’t occur because the ball went into proper discipline and Baez ended up at second base. He scored on an Ian Happ single.

“It was only a bizarre play,” Pirates middle fielder Bryan Reynolds stated. “It was simply bizarre.”

Baez was credited with a fielder’s selection, whereas Perez was given an error for his throw. In response to Statcast, it took Baez 15.54 seconds to achieve first base, which is the longest time to first on a fielder’s selection in a minimum of the final three seasons.

“I’m fairly good at tagging and never letting folks tag me,” Baez stated.

If the Pirates had tagged Baez or stepped on first at any level within the sequence, the run wouldn’t have counted — even when the out got here after Contreras had crossed the plate. Baez’ return towards residence was throughout the guidelines so long as he didn’t exit of the baseline or attain the plate. The Cubs’ dugout burst out in laughter, and the play immediately went viral.

.@javy23baez broke out a trick we’ve got by no means seen earlier than. ?

(MLB x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/TRAXNeERbW

— MLB (@MLB) Might 27, 2023

“He has this fashion about him,” Ross stated. “You possibly can name it swag or baseball IQ. He performs the sport like a child. I feel that’s why lots of people fall in love with him.”

Craig wasn’t made out there to reporters after the sport, whereas beginning pitcher Tyler Anderson admitted nobody was yelling to Craig to only tag first base.

“It was quiet on the market,” he stated.

Pirates supervisor Derek Shelton put the blame on himself.

“That’s on me,” Shelton acknowledged. “Now we have to know that. I assure you’ll by no means see that once more whereas I’m right here. … Our guys must know the rule.”

The play helped the Cubs to a sweep of the Pirates, however the buzz postgame wasn’t concerning the Cubs’ four-game profitable streak — it was all about Baez.

“After I referred to as him protected, I remembered that I needed to go to first,” Baez stated. “I used to be fairly drained.”

Ross merely added: “El Mago. That’s what it’s.”