“Wrong prediction of the end” Roberts also admits to apologizing for Ohtani’s perfect shot, Correa
It was a crucial relay play. The opposing team commander also acknowledged it.
The Minnesota Twins won 3-2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 Major League Baseball at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the 11th (Korea time).
Minnesota was pulled by the Dodgers in the top of the first inning. Mookie Betts’ hit and Shohei Ohtani’s walk faced a crisis of runners at the first and second bases with no outs. After Freddie Freeman was out with a fly ball to center field, Teoscar Hernandez hit a timely RBI single.
However, balance was achieved in the bottom of the first inning. Eroir Jullien hit Bobby Miller’s four-seam fastball at 97.7 miles per hour to draw a solo arc. Jullien and Carlos Correa’s consecutive hits in the bottom of the third inning created chances to hit first and third bases, and Byron Buxton’s timely hit turned the game around.
The joy was brief as the Dodgers balanced it with Max Muncy’s home run in the top of the fourth inning.
But Minnesota had Jullien. He hit the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the fifth inning and hit another home run against replaced pitcher Alex Bethea. Jullien’s home run gave Minnesota a 3-2 lead.
The game was decided in the top of the seventh inning. With one out and runners on first base, Ohtani came to the batter’s box. Ohtani sent a grounder to the second base. He sprinted to avoid a double play. Only the front runner Betts was out. And then Freeman came to the batter’s box. Freeman hit a ball that landed on the right field line. Ohtani ran around the ground at a high speed.
Ohtani made it to third base and home. Minnesota also made a relay play to catch Ohtani. Alex Kirilloff threw the ball to Correa, who immediately threw it to catcher Christian Vázquez. Vázquez tags the sliding Ohtani. The centrifuges are safe. But Minnesota called for a challenge. The readings showed Vázquez’s tag was fast. We were able to prevent a run and ultimately secure the win with a perfect relay play.
“Striker” Correa jumped to the right field and displayed a perfect relay play. When Freeman appeared, second baseman Jullien moved closer to first base. However, as soon as the ball was hit, he covered second base, and Correa, who played shortstop, quickly prepared for a relay play on the right field.
Major League Baseball’s official website MLB.com said, “Given that Correa is a shortstop, you may wonder why he was responsible for the cutoff throw on the right-wing line.”
“If Julian had a better arm, he would have let me catch the ball,” Correa said, “that’s what I told him.”
“In fact, Correa’s best speed limit last season was 91.7 miles (about 147 km/h). Correa recorded 82.5 miles (about 132 km/h),” the outlet said
“It’s crazy,” Julien said. “He threw right in the outfield. He’s probably got the best arm of any big league shortstop.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also acknowledged Correa’s shoulder. “Ohtani would have been safe if the ball had come in a little higher,” he said. “It was a really good play. Unfortunately, we guessed the end of it wrong.”