Phillies score on strangest play in baseball history
Just when you think you’ve seen everything in baseball the Phillies give you something strange and unusual
Baseball’s most intriguing facet is that despite the game being played for over 150 years there will be plays lifelong fans have never experienced before.
In what may be the strangest play in the history of not just Phillies baseball, but in the entirety of the sport, a runner was able to score from first on a swinging strike.
Sound weird? You’re correct.
In the bottom of the third between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in a scoreless game, catcher Andrew Knapp is able to work a 3-1 walk. With Andres Blanco at the plate, Knapp takes a large lead off first base.
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Blanco swings at a pitch low and away, causing his bat to fly into the stands. As the entire stadium marvels at a piece of wood hurdling into the seats, Pirates catcher Elias Diaz noticed Knapp was still off the first base bag while watching the bat. Diaz fires the ball to first base and had an excellent opportunity to pick off the Phils catcher.
Unfortunately for the Pirates, first baseman Josh Bell was also watching the bat go into the stands, and never saw Diaz’ throw whizz past his face.
Diaz’s throw rolls deep into the right field corner, allowing Knapp to score from first.
Don’t believe us? Watch the play for yourself below.
That's something you won't see every day...
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) July 6, 2017
The bat goes flying, the ball goes flying and Knapp scores from first. pic.twitter.com/DgvnvLMn2q
Pittsburgh was able to make up for the miscue, which has officially been ruled an error on the catcher Diaz, by plating two home runs in the top of the fourth to take a 3-1 lead in Philadelphia off Jeremy Hellickson.
And as only Philadelphia can, the reactions came in hard and heavy on social media.
.@theknappyboy5 scores from first on a throwing error by the catcher!
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 6, 2017
It may be #KnappTime, but Andrew was ALERT. #GoPhils pic.twitter.com/OXhXS6BBmw
Another reminder than Andrew Knapp is better than Cameron Rupp.
— #FireFletcher (@_Philly_Talk) July 6, 2017
Don't think I've ever said "I've never seen that before" on consecutive plays
— TSmith (@IrishTsmith) July 6, 2017
Next: Daniel Nava could be the Phillies best trade asset
It just goes to show you that you should never take your eye off the ball, and no matter how long the game has been played, anything can happen.