PHILADELPHIA – Cincinnati Reds reliever Reiver Sanmartin saw the ball headed toward the top of the right-field wall on Wednesday and instinctually he started jogging to third base to back up any potential throw to the bag.
Sanmartin figured Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins would score easily on J.T. Realmuto’s double in the seventh inning and he needed to be ready in case Realmuto was thinking triple. Then Sanmartin saw Aristides Aquino grab the ball and wind up toward the plate, and the pitcher reversed his direction to back up the plate.
Aquino, who attempted a leaping grab with his back against the wall, took six steps to run after the ball, scooped it with his glove and transferred it to his right hand at the same time Hoskins rounded third base.