The Atlanta Braves were enjoying a 6-2 lead over the Boston Red Sox in the top of the sixth inning on Saturday night, so they could afford to take some aggressive risks on the bases in the interest of opening up a larger cushion. So it wasn't too surprising that third base coach Matt Tuiasosopo sent Alex Verdugo barreling toward home on a Matt Olson single to left field. It was a bit strange, though, to see leftfielder Jarren Duran toss a missile to the plate that beat Verdugo by a good 30 feet.
Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez waited for Verdugo to finally reach the dish and applied the tag, facilitating a completely stress-free decision for home plate umpire Paul Clemons.
To his credit, Verdugo did the only thing to be done in that situation: flash a big smile and chuckle at the absurdity. After all, it wasn't decision to try to score. It's not his fault he looks so fast.
All fun and games for the Braves right now but if Boston somehow finds a way to come back and win, it will be less funny.
