There's a new baseball saying: Don't attempt to steal home with the bases loaded and a 3-0 count against a pitcher who can't find the strike zone.
Mariners pitcher Victor Robles became a late entrant into the “Dumbest Play of the Year” competition on Tuesday night, when he relieved Yankees starter Luis Gil by attempting to steal bases in the bottom of the first inning, only to be tagged out and end Seattle's threat in what was ultimately an 11-2 loss.
Justin Turner, who was batting at the time, didn't seem pleased with Robles' play with Seattle trailing 2-0.
To make matters worse, Robles was hit in his first at-bat, was also bothered by a right foot injury, and was removed as a pinch hitter before his next at-bat. From MLB.com.
“There's no question Vic is an aggressive player. That's part of his game,” Mariners interim manager Dan Wilson said. “This is a situation where you have to be sure you're going to make it. He made a move, but he couldn't get it safely. We're hopeful he'll bounce back tomorrow.”
The play boosted the Yankees' momentum after they had a two-run lead in the top of the first inning, and Gill, who had no idea where the ball was going in the first inning, remained calm and limited the opponent to just one run in the fifth inning.
Gill had already allowed a hit to Robles and walked two batters to load the bases before falling behind 3-0 against Turner. He threw 15 of his first 24 pitches.
But when Robles saw Gil turn his back to home plate to take Rosin, he got aggressive for some reason and decided to try and score Seattle's first run.
But Robles didn't throw the ball completely until Gil had his body halfway toward home plate, allowing the starting pitcher to throw a pass to catcher Austin Wells to tag Robles out.
“Obviously, he likes to put pressure on the defense,” Wilson said, “and that's part of his game. It was a very aggressive play and, again, it was a play he definitely wanted to get in there and he just couldn't get in there.”
YES announcer Michael Kay and an article on MLB.com noted that Turner seemed quite unhappy with the development.
“It's just unbelievable. It's 3-0 and Justin Turner is staring into the dugout as if to say, 'Really?'” Kaye said.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the Yankees had an opportunity, and they quickly took advantage, extending their lead to 4-0 in the top of the second inning on a two-run single by Aaron Judge.
Seattle's final chance came in the third inning with a runner on second and a 4-1 lead, but this time Gill got out of the jam without any baserunning help.
“(A) 3-0 count felt like a big break and a bit of a gift to us,” Boone said. “It helped get Lewis off the ropes and he was able to settle down and do enough to give us a strong five.”
