Jacob Young Saves Nationals with Spectacular Catches
Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young made two amazing catches on Sunday, sealing a costly defeat for the New York Mets.
Young demonstrated his defensive ability exceptionally, even using his foot to rob Brett Baty of the chance to extend his play with an acrobatic catch in the fifth inning. Later, in the ninth inning, he made a spectacular leap to prevent a home run that would have tied the game, denying Francisco Alvarez the opportunity.
In the fifth inning, with the Mets losing 3-1, Baty hit a long fly ball to center field against pitcher Jake Irvin. Young, in a desperate race backward, got tangled up a bit as the ball went over his head.
After turning his body and jumping towards the wall, the ball escaped his glove when it hit the fence. However, the ball never touched the wall, and Young, with difficulty, propelled it upwards with his right foot, hacky-sack style, before catching it a second time in a circus catch.
The umpires immediately declared Baty out, while he was running around second base.
In the ninth inning, Alvarez hit a deep fly ball to center left field. Young, once again, ran back and jumped, this time cleanly catching the ball at the top of the fence, securing the Nationals’ 3-2 victory.
New York, which has lost 11 of 15 games, began the day with a one-game lead over Cincinnati for the final National League wild card.
