What should’ve been a routine single turned into mayhem.
In the fifth inning of Wednesday night’s thrilling win-or-go-home game between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Francisco Lindor lined a single into center field off right-hander Yimi Garcia. The ball should’ve hopped in front of Julio Rodríguez for a one-out single.
Instead, Rodríguez misplayed the ball. It rolled all the way to the wall in center, allowing Lindor to go on one of his most memorable trips around the bases of his life. He ran 15.70 seconds from home-to-home, scoring without a throw after Ketel Marte bobbled the relay.
After touching home plate, Lindor launched his helmet up to the roof. He was mobbed by his teammates as if they were playing in the backyard as kids. It was the most appropriate way to celebrate a Little League home run.
Dylan Dodd is a young left-hander constructing an unexpected underdog story. Asked if he had envisioned being one of the last two guys battling for the final spot in Atlanta’s rotation, Dodd tilted his head, smirked and said, “To be honest, probably not.”
You may have noticed that the Red Sox lost a franchise shortstop this offseason — and then didn’t go after one of the big names as a replacement. And then you may have noticed that the organization’s top prospect happens to play … shortstop.
Andrew Painter, Mick Abel and Griff McGarry represent the next wave of talent, and they’ve only just scratched the surface. Could they represent the Phils’ rotation core of the future?