The Tampa Bay Rays were leading 3-0. It was the top of the 4th inning in a win-or-go-home Game 4. After leading off the inning with a single, Jose Altuve extended his lead at first. With one out, Yordan Alvarez worked a 2-2 count and laced a curveball over Kevin Kiermaier’s head in center field. Jose Altuve rounded second, then third, and raced for home.
And then, Willy Adames arrived.
Kevin Kiermaier, a platinum glove defender, delivered a strike to the 24 year old shortstop from the Dominican Republic. Willy, jumped and received Kiermaier’s throw, spun, and unleashed a bullet to catcher Travis d’Arnaud who turned and tagged out the speedy Jose Altuve.