Braves CF Ender Inciarte's Great Acting Job Fakes Runner into Double Play
There haven't been many highlights for the Atlanta Braves (7-24) this season, but over the course of a 162-game campaign, even the worst teams are going to have some memorable moments here and there.
That was the case for Atlanta on Tuesday night.
In the top of the sixth inning, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis hit a fly ball to right-center field. Although it looked like a routine play, Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte appeared to have no idea where the ball was—but that was all part of his plan.
Inciarte managed to fake out the runner at first, Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, enough to turn the routine fly ball into a double play. And with it, he created a rare highlight for a struggling Braves team.
A fake-out like that looks awesome when it works, but while it's happening, it can lead to some confusion on the field—especially if your teammates aren't aware that it's just a trick.
"I was actually yelling at [right fielder Nick Markakis] because I didn't think [Inciarte] knew where he was going," Atlanta left fielder Jeff Francoeur told MLB.com's Mark Bowman (via Cut4's Chris Landers). "If I ever play against him, I'll have to remember that one."
That's coming from a player who wasn't even involved in the play. As for the right fielder, Markakis also got duped by his center fielder.
"Right before he caught that ball, he yelled at me pointing to the sky saying to get over there in case he has a pop-up," Markakis said, per Cut4. "He had me fooled for a second. I didn't know what to do. At the very last second, I kind of caught on."
Fortunately for Inciarte, he had a beat on the ball the entire time and was in position to make the play. A move like this works the first time you try it, but if you attempt it too many times, opposing teams will catch on.
Atlanta needed more than Inciarte's trickery on Tuesday night, though. Philadelphia held on for a 3-2 victory.
[MLB.com]
