Bryce Harper has been aiming to “Make Baseball Fun Again” this year. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is one of those players who can fulfill that motto.
He definitely produced a thoroughly enjoyable moment to end Wednesday night’s game at Dodger Stadium. Ironically, it was at the expense of Harper’s Washington Nationals — and especially outfielder Michael A. Taylor.
In the bottom of the ninth, with the Nats leading 3-2 and with Howie Kendrick on first, Puig hits a one-out single into center field. Taylor inexplicably misplays the routine grounder, and the ball scoots past him.
This induces a mad dash around the bases. Jayson Werth retrieves, and heaves it into Daniel Murphy, but it’s too late. Puig has produced memorable and unusual 4-3 walk-off win for the Dodgers.
That misplay by Taylor alone would make for tough night, but then there’s this:
Very tough night for Nats’ Michael Taylor.
0-5 at plate with 5 K and misplayed ball in center that allowed Dodgers to score winning runs.
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) June 23, 2016
Just to add to the extremes, this crazy finish marked the sixth straight victory for L.A. and the fifth consecutive loss for Washington.
