It didn't exactly save the season, but it might have saved the game.
Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo absolutely prevented the Twins from tying Game 1 of their doubleheader with Alex Cora's team, running into to snag Luis Arraez's sinking liner for the final out of what would be a 3-2 Sox win at Target Field.
Verdugo wins it - 8 in a row pic.twitter.com/lgJWMPXNMq
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) April 14, 2021
The image immediately brought back memories of Andrew Benintendi's game-saving grab in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against Houston.
Verdugo's catch was made possible because of a late-inning switch by Cora, who pinch-hit starting left fielder Franchy Cordero in the final frame. The move put Kiké Hernandez in the game in center field, pushing Verdugo to left.
"Of course," said Cora when asked if Wednesday's catch reminded him of Benintendi's grab. "That was a great play by Alex. That's what we talk about with our defense in the outfield. You guys talk about moving guys around late in games. We pinch-hit with Enrique for Franchy and our defense is still good. Alex had a great jump and made the right decision and he caught the ball."
