In the grand scheme of things, it did not matter that the Arizona Diamondbacks turned a routine play into a debacle in Game 2.
Still, the play epitomized the Diamondbacks’ struggles in the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The D-backs were already trailing 8-0 in the bottom of the seventh when Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott lifted a pop up near the third-base line.
Third baseman Evan Longoria, pitcher Ryne Nelson and catcher Gabriel Moreno all converged on the easy pop up. In a classic case of “I’ve got it! You take it!” the ball dropped between the three players.
Officially the play went for a hit; on MLB.com, the description reads, “Bryson Stott singles on a pop up to third baseman Evan Longoria. Unofficially, this play was arguably more humiliating than the D-backs pitching staff serving up monster home runs to Kyle Schwarber & Co.
Social media had plenty to say on the matter, and it wasn’t pretty.
That's a gold glove third baseman
— Kirk Bailey (@KirklandBailey) October 18, 2023
How many D-Back players does it take to catch a pop up? 1-2-3? Gone. #PhiladelphiaPhillies #Phillies #Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/y11Uif1wk0
— rae (@retiredjeans) October 18, 2023
How many @Dbacdoes it take to catch an infield pop up? #LetsGoPhillies #MLB #WorldSeries #philly #Phillies #tnt pic.twitter.com/eGaZODZAuz — THE ILLUSIONIST (@tomcoverlytour) October 18, 2023
the Diamondbacks on Bohm’s infield pop up pic.twitter.com/VWYcKs4hM2
— kayla mccallum (@kaaylamccallum) October 18, 2023
I have never seen a better case for MLB playoff contraction than the diamondbacks letting that infield pop-up drop
— Mike K (@DankMystic) October 18, 2023
The Diamondbacks are cooked. Couldn’t even make a play on a routine pop up? Cooked.
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) October 18, 2023
Woof Diamondbacks letting an infield pop up drop between three.
That’s some crazy mental breakdown
— Elon fragile non genius Musk (@PetalumaPegleg) October 18, 2023
Arizona Diamondbacks said this crowd wouldn’t bother them.
It’s only Game 2 and they’re completely falling apart at the seams. 8-0. Not fielding infield pop ups. Giving up 2-out rallies.
— Zac (@zacvoynow) October 18, 2023
[Photo Credit: TBS}