The Defense Thread, 2016

[Aristotelian]

July 8 vs LAA

Lost in this ugly game, Kim made an excellent diving catch fully extended on a ball in the gap hit by Albert Pujols. He also made a good catch covering a ton of ground to get to a ball hit to the wall near the corner. He has zero errors for the season but I don't recall any plus plays until now.

http://m.mlb.com/video/v910282183/laabal-kim-takes-a-hit-away-with-a-diving-grab/?game_pk=448162

Manny also started a terrific double play on a ball hit down the line. However, JJ made errors on two consecutive plays, contributing to two unearned runs for Mike Wright.

[Frobby]

July 10

- Trumbo totally botched a line drive, first misjudging it, then failing to catch it near his ankles, then letting it go through his legs so that the batter ended up at 3B. It got scored as a single and a two-base error, but it should have been caught. In fairness, the sun may have been a factor.

- Hardy and Manny each charged a slow hopper and got the runner at 1B. Manny's was the game-ender, and he had to catch it on the short hop and fire sidearm from an odd angle. Tough play but of course he made it look like a piece of cake.

A big run in the game came when Andrelton Simmons thought Choi had called him off on a routine pop fly and it dropped behind him. He then made a very wide throw to 2B that rolled right to the first baseman, who somehow let it get past him and Alvarez (who, by the way, had not been running hard on the pop fly) ended up on 3B. Simmons did make a great over the shoulder catch on a pop fly earlier in the game.

[Aristotelian]

July 23

Gausman pitched 7 shutout innings. The defense behind him did not make any spectacular plays, but turned 3 double plays to get him out of trouble when the Indians threatened in the 4th, 5th, and 6th.

Meanwhile, the key play that turned the game was Davis' RBI fielders choice, a possible double play with 1 out, 1st and 3rd, that he barely beat out. The failure to turn the double play not only scored Jones, it set the stage for Trumbo's 2-out, 2-run home run that gave the O's a 3-0 lead. The ball was hit right to Kipnis, but he was in the shift and slightly to his left (he throws righty) so it was a long toss for the turn. Not sure if it was a makeable play, more of a hustle play by Davis than a bad defensive play, but worth noting.

[backwardsk]

Lindor took the blame on that play. Great hustle by Davis. Play of the game.

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[Aristotelian]

August 3, 2016 vs Rangers:

9th inning, 1 out, 3-2 lead with Britton pitching, Odor on 1st. Britton throws a sinker in the dirt that appears to get by Wieters. Odor aggressively went for 2nd to get in scoring position. Wieters alertly got to the ball and launched a missile to Hardy to nail Odor and end the threat.

http://m.mlb.com/video/v1005937383/texbal-wieters-makes-great-throw-to-get-odor-in-9th/?game_pk=448473

[canonfaz]

Schoop made a nice play too late in the game where he ranged to his right to make a play. His defense this year has been so much fun to watch!

[Redskins Rick]

August 3, 2016 vs Rangers:

9th inning, 1 out, 3-2 lead with Britton pitching, Odor on 1st. Britton throws a sinker in the dirt that appears to get by Wieters. Odor aggressively went for 2nd to get in scoring position. Wieters alertly got to the ball and launched a missile to Hardy to nail Odor and end the threat.

http://m.mlb.com/video/v1005937383/texbal-wieters-makes-great-throw-to-get-odor-in-9th/?game_pk=448473

Plays like this, is why I love watching Wieters behind the plate!

[Aristotelian]

Schoop made a nice play too late in the game where he ranged to his right to make a play. His defense this year has been so much fun to watch!

Also a made a heads up fake to first/throw to third that was not successful but great thinking and perfectly executed.

[Frobby]

It was a sharp game all around for the Orioles on defense last night. Gloved several very hot smashes in the infield, including two that were turned into DP's.

[O's are Legends]

It was a sharp game all around for the Orioles on defense last night. Gloved several very hot smashes in the infield, including two that were turned into DP's.

Today it was the opposite. May have cost them the game. Go get em tomorrow.

[Frobby]

August 4

Defense arguably cost us the game tonight. In the 5th inning, with a runner on 1st, there was a grounder hit in the 1B hole. It seemed to be in Davis' reach for a possible DP, but the runner sort of screened Davis vision and he let the ball get past hi for a single and the runner got to 3B. On the next play, there was a bloop into short RF where Schoop couldn't execute an over the shoulder catch. Neither play was an error, but we are accustomed to seeing Davis and Schoop make these plays. Two runs resulted.

Less important, Manny had a ball stick in the pocket of his glove that led him to settle for an out at 1B instead of going for the DP. But no runs resulted.

[OFFNY]

(vs. RANGERS, August 4th)

Defense arguably cost us the game tonight. In the 5th inning, with a runner on 1st, there was a grounder hit in the 1B hole. It seemed to be in Davis' reach for a possible DP, but the runner sort of screened Davis vision and he let the ball get past hi for a single and the runner got to 3B. On the next play, there was a bloop into short RF where Schoop couldn't execute an over the shoulder catch. Neither play was an error, but we are accustomed to seeing Davis and Schoop make these plays. Two runs resulted.

Less important, Manny had a ball stick in the pocket of his glove that led him to settle for an out at 1B instead of going for the DP. But no runs resulted.

Earlier in that same inning, Miley made an excellent play on a sacrifice bunt attempt to nail the runner at 3rd base.

Unfortunately, his teammates playing behind him dropped the ball later in that inning.

[Frobby]

HAugust 5

You could write a book about this one, and I didn't even see all the notable plays.

- Wieters bounced a throw to the SS side of 2B that looked like it could have been gloved, but it bounced into the OF. Jones airmailed a throw to 3B but fortunately the play was backed up.

- Davis made 2 errors I didn't see.

- On a potential DP grounder, Hardy had a little trouble tossing the ball to Schoop, who made an ill-advised throw way wide of 1B for an error.

- Hardy had a line drive tick off his glove that he might have caught on another day.

- Reimold had a ball tick off his glove in the gap near the wall. Not an easy play, but a good OF makes it.

On the bright side:

- Hardy made a throw from deep in the hole to nail a batter.

- The very next play, a ball nicked off Gallardo's glove, and Hardy charged and made a lightning fast throw to 1B for the out.

- With runners on 1st and 3rd, Davis scooped up a grounder, stepped on the bag, ran towards home a couple of steps and fired to 3B to nail the runner (according to the ump, and not overturned on review).

Ther also was a somewhat amazing play where the ball ricocheted off 3B, back toward the hole and Manny, who had been heading behind the bag, somehow snared the ball barehanded and threw to 1B. The runner beat the throw easily but it was still an incredibly athletic play.

I think that's all....

[eddie83]

Odd game. Chris looks lost. Schoop forced that throw. Like you said Frobby Matt needs a day off. Biggest issue is corner OF.

[Superbee83]

Odd game. Chris looks lost. Schoop forced that throw. Like you said Frobby Matt needs a day off. Biggest issue is corner OF.

It was an odd game, teams that make 4 errors generally wind up on the losing end.

I agree with the corner OF defense being an issue.

Reimold not making that play as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning was glaring.

I would not be too surprised to see Borbon replace him on the roster.

Reimold has not been swinging the bat well and Borbon offers a defensive and speed element that this team could use off of the bench.

In addition, He is a legitimate back up to Jones in center.

Besides, with Pearce on the roster Reimold is a bit redundant IMO.