Story by
'Pure instinct': Brayan Rocchio might have saved Guardians' playoff hopes with clutch play
- Story by
- 'Pure instinct': Brayan Rocchio might have saved Guardians' playoff hopes with clutch play
CLEVELAND — Brayan Rocchio won't get credit for a save or a game-winning hit Sept. 14, but he might have earned both with one diving stop when the Guardians needed it most.
With two outs in the top of the ninth inning and the Guardians clinging to a 3-2 lead , the White Sox had the potential tying run on third and the go-ahead run on first. Andrew Benintendi drilled a ball back up the middle that looked like it was about the tie the score and give the White Sox a chance to take the lead.
Advertisement
Instead, second baseman Rocchio fielded it cleanly with a full-out dive to his right, bounced to his feet and fired a laser to first base to beat the runner and end the game.
It was essentially a walk-off hit, only without a bat. And it was a play that could have made the "Superman" deleted scenes as an extra reel filmed at Progressive Field .
"From my point of view, I saw the ball, it was headed towards the hole in between him and [Gabriel] Arias," said Guardians catcher Bo Naylor, who was behind the plate and might have had the best vantage point of anyone in the ballpark. "And just saw 'Superman' come out of nowhere and make the play. And when he caught the ball initially I … knew it was gonna be a tight play, but had all the faith in the world in Rocchio and the type of player he is."
Rocchio came up through the minor leagues playing several different positions. In the majors, he had mostly been a shortstop, though he's jumped back and forth between the middle infield spots. There aren't many second basemen who can not only get to that ball, but get up fast enough and put enough on the throw to get the out.
Advertisement
Then again, Rocchio isn't really a second baseman — the Guardians just often play two shortstops with him and Arias up the middle.
"It just seems like that's pure instinct, and that just speaks to the ability he has as a fielder, as a defender, and being able to adapt to a new position," Naylor said. "I think it just speaks volumes to the way he prepares himself and the overall ability that he has to be able to make such crazy plays like that at key parts of the game."
Rocchio agreed with Naylor's assessment. There's no thinking being done while the play is being made.
"That's instinct," Rocchio said. "That play, you can't practice that play. That's instinct, 100 percent."
Advertisement
Brayan Rocchio makes key play as Guardians push for playoff spot
The Guardians needed it . They entered the day 3.5 games out of the final wild card spot with only 14 games to play. They're certainly alive in the playoff hunt, but it's a precarious spot to be in, and they can ill afford any missteps. They've taken care of their own business, winning nine of their last 10 games, but they haven't made up a lot of ground because of recent hot streaks by a few teams they're chasing.
All things considered, it can safely be said Rocchio's diving stop was the biggest defensive play of the Guardians' season to date.
Before he spoke to reporters after the game, manager Stephen Vogt needed another look.
Advertisement
"That's one of the best defensive plays I've ever seen, especially given the magnitude of the situation," Vogt said. "How fast Ro caught that, and I just watched the replay before I came in here — I had to, it was one of the best plays in the moment.
"But the athleticism, the timing, getting yourself [up] as you're diving, getting your body in a perfect line to throw to first base, you can't even describe how many things got into a play like that. It's unbelievable."
Rocchio has had a knack for playing his best at the right time of year. He was terrific last October, hitting .333 with a home run, two doubles, two RBIs and five walks. All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan , who made a highlight reel play of his own in the Sept. 14 win, recently coined the term "Playoff Rocchio."
Playoff Rocchio arriving a few weeks early this year might be necessary for the Guardians to actually be playing into October. Their chances remain low, all things considered, but one diving play has given them a fighting chance.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Brayan Rocchio makes game-saving play vs White Sox. Watch the video
