With the Los Angeles Dodgers facing Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, their lineup featured a bevy of right-handed hitters and Chris Taylor was among them as he drew the start in center field.
Taylor went 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and walk, but it was his baserunning blunder in the ninth inning that loomed large in the Dodgers’ walk-off loss. After working a walk with two outs, Taylor had thoughts of going first to third base on Cody Bellinger’s pinch-hit single.
But Joc Pederson quickly got to the ball in right field and it prompted Taylor to stop after rounding second base and attempt to retreat. He was caught in a rundown for the third out, and the Dodgers went on to lose in the bottom of the ninth.
Taylor explained postgame that he didn’t accurately assess the situation and stopping after rounding second base was his decision, not that of third base coach Dino Ebel, via SportsNet LA:
“It was just a bad read. I saw it barely get over Albies’ head, and thought I could get to third. I didn’t realize Joc had it that quick, and tried to stop. I should’ve kept going. … That’s our read. It was just a bad read on my part.”
Although Taylor’s baserunning mistake cost the Dodgers an at-bat for Mookie Betts with a runner in scoring position, it certainly was not the sole reason behind the 3-2 loss.
L.A. stranded seven and were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Roberts: Taylor ‘caught’ in the middle
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sat stoically in the dugout when Taylor was thrown out and after the game recognized the mistake made.
“You know, I think by the book he should have probably stayed. I think it was hit softly. It was kind of towards the gap, and so I felt that he thought he had a good read on it,” Roberts said.
“It’s kind of one of those where you got to pick. You either are going to go hard, and I don’t know if Joc would have thrown to third right there and just conceded that base, or just hold up and two outs and give Mookie a chance.
“But I think right there he was kind of caught in between. That’s kind of when you get in trouble.”
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