In the sixth inning of Game 1, Josh Naylor hit into a double play, but it looked like Rodriguez could have stopped to avoid the tag and delay the decision for Javier Baez. We spoke to Wilson and Rodriguez about the play on Sunday afternoon.
SEATTLE -- Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez played an excellent Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday night, registering three hits, two RBIs and a home run, but unfortunately, the Mariners lost 3-2 in 11 innings.
Despite his excellent overall performance, Rodriguez drew the ire of some fans for a play that happened in the sixth inning.
The game was tied 2-2 and the Mariners had runners at first and second with nobody out. Josh Naylor hit into a double play, with Rodriguez being tagged by shortstop Javier Baez and Naylor being thrown out at first. The Mariners were unable to score after that, squandering the opportunity.
The thought process was perhaps that Rodriguez could have stopped, forcing Baez to come and tag him, delaying the play, and perhaps allowing Naylor to get to first base successfully.
On Sunday afternoon, we spoke with manager Dan Wilson and Rodriguez about the play.
Rodriguez's response
Question: Julio, do you give any consideration to stopping there, or is the play happening too fast for you to think of doing anything else?
Answer: Well, in that play, once you hit the ground ball, like, I didn't really think that it was gonna be Javy (Baez) that caught the ball right there. I was just trying to go as hard as I could, you know, to try to get to the base as fast as I could. Once I looked over to him, he was just right there. Yeah, maybe I could have stopped and keep it first and third and delay a little bit. But I just feel like in that point, I'm just trying to go as fast as I can to get to the base.
To Rodriguez's point... Baez, who is an excellent defender, came across the bag to make an excellent play. With regards to potentially stopping, perhaps that's something you think of more when the second baseman is going to make the play. It's not necessarily something you can anticipate, the shortstop cutting well across the bag.
Wilson's response
Question: Dan, is there a teaching point with Julio, perhaps about stopping? Or is the play just happening too fast and too reactionary?
Answer:
Often times, stopping there is a play, sometimes you think you're going to be able to get by the fielder at the same time, so there's often times where it's just a collision course and you feel like you're going to get past and you don't. It's a tough play there ....
The Mariners challenged, wondering if Baez had applied the tag, but he had.
What's next
The Mariners and Tigers will play in Game 2 on Sunday night at 5:08 p.m. PT. Luis Castillo will pitch for Seattle against Tarik Skubal.
Related Mariners Stories
LATEST PODCAST IS OUT: Brady Farkas is back for the latest episode of the Refuse to Lose podcast, talking about the upcoming matchup with the Detroit Tigers, and the pros and cons of it. Furthermore, we talk more about the bullpen woes, Bryan Woo's injury concerns, and we talk with ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney. LISTEN HERE:
LEGENDS RETURN: Four Seattle sports legends came back to T-Mobile Park on Saturday night to help usher in playoff season, and it made for some special moments. CLICK HERE:
PASSAN HAS HIGH PRAISE: ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan spoke about the M's roster and their chances to make a deep October run on Seattle Sports 710 this week. CLICK HERE: