Top Clutch Performances of the Week
You want the clutch? Boy, do we have a ton of clutch for you.
Over the last seven days, we've seen big moments in Major League Baseball, World Wrestling Entertainment and even the NBA.
As summer winds down, this week's top clutch performances bounce between off-the-field moves and on-the-field brilliance. You know the drill by now. Mash the orange button below and let's get this party going.
Adrian Beltre Goes Boom
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Who: Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre
When: July 25 vs. Oakland Athletics
Propelling one home run is nice. Hitting two, including a game-winner, is an accomplishment worthy of internet headlines.
The Texas Rangers powered past the Oakland Athletics—their division rivals—on July 25, thanks to Adrian Beltre's determination.
Beltre first shattered Earth's gravitational pull when he hit a solo shot in the seventh inning. But he wasn't done yet. The Rangers third baseman returned in the ninth inning, ripping a two-run, game-ending shot off A's closer Ryan Madson.
The 37-year-old Beltre is out there proving age is only a number floating around in our minds. His 2016 season has been solid, batting .280 to go along with 16 home runs and 63 RBI.
Tyronn Lue and the Cleveland Cavaliers Reach an Agreement
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Who: Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue
When: July 25
Sometimes finding a good fit is all you need in life. When Tyronn Lue took over as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers mid-season, the team found its groove. Thanks to the guiding hands of LeBron James and Lue connecting with players, the Cavaliers went on to win the 2015-16 NBA title.
Now, ownership in Cleveland is rewarding Lue with a five-year, $35 million deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. It's a smart move. The team clearly responded to Lue's direction, and despite having a roster equipped with talent, Lue clearly understands how these guys work.
Signing him to an extension was a clutch offseason move for the Cavs.
The Chicago Cubs Land Aroldis Chapman
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Who: Chicago Cubs pitcher Aroldis Chapman
When: July 25
Apparently, the Chicago Cubs really want to break their World Series curse. Already sitting in first place in the National League Central with a 59-40 record, the Cubs stunned the baseball world by securing fireball pitcher Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees, per the Cubs' official Twitter.
The move is significant. It immediately reshapes their bullpen and gives the Cubs one of the top relief pitchers in the sport today.
Up in the Bronx, the deal was also well worth it. The Yankees landed Gleyber Torres, Billy McKinney, Rashad Crawford and Adam Warren. Bleacher Report's Joseph Zucker explained how Torres is the one to watch out for: "Torres ranked first in both Baseball Prospectus' and Baseball America's top-10 rankings of the Cubs' minor league organization."
This was a pivotal trade for both clubs involved. Chapman landing in Chicago is the type of deal that could result in this team ending its 108-year World Series drought.
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Finn Balor Punches His Ticket to SummerSlam
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Who: WWE superstar Finn Balor
When: July 25, Raw
The first WWE show after last week's brand extension draft turned out to be a riveting three-hour excursion on television. WWE has ushered in a brand new era of professional wrestling, and former NXT superstar Finn Balor was a main beneficiary of this change.
Balor started off Raw winning a Fatal 4-Way match before taking down Roman Reigns in the main event. With that win came a great sense of responsibility.
At this moment in time, he is now set to headline SummerSlam, taking on Seth Rollins for the WWE Universal Championship—a title held exclusively on Raw.
This moment was not only clutch, it was also very well received. For those out there who don't love wrestling, Raw and Balor's performance was a way to bring people into the proverbial tent.
Adam Jones Runs Toward a Win
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Who: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones
When: July 25 vs. Colorado Rockies
Extra-inning baseball never, ever, and we mean never, ceases to get tiresome. Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones made good on that notion, helping the Baltimore Orioles push past the Colorado Rockies.
It wasn't a long home run or a forceful RBI single into the outfield. Jones won the game with great baserunning.
In the bottom of the 10th inning, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado sliced a ball to Rockies pitcher Jordan Lyles. Lyles bobbled the ball, allowing Jones—who was stationed on third base—to head towards home plate.
A low throw paved the way for Jones to score the winning run. It was an uncharacteristic way to win a ballgame, but a great one nonetheless.
Bradley Wright-Phillips Helps Win the Battle of New York
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Who: New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips
When: July 24 vs. New York FC
The MLS battle of New York between the Red Bulls and New York FC turned out to be a one-sided thrashing. Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips was an important reason why.
Wright-Phillips was the best player on the pitch. His two-goal performance capped off a 4-1 win for the Red Bulls.
The game was a big event, not only because each team plays within the New York market, but also because the duel featured two of the top clubs in the MLS. Current Eastern Conference standings, per ESPN FC, show New York FC is in first place, while the Red Bulls are just behind the curve in second.
Wright-Phillips' clutch performance is exactly the type of play the Red Bulls need if they want to make a mega-push come playoff time.
Tyler Saladino Provides Walk-off Fireworks for the Chicago White Sox
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Who: Chicago White Sox shortstop Tyler Saladino
When: July 25 vs. Chicago Cubs
Gatorade baths galore were on the menu for Chicago White Sox shortstop Tyler Saladino.
Saladino took to the plate in a close battle between the White Sox and Cubs on July 25. He rewarded his club with a loopy single into center field, driving home the winning run in a 5-4 contest.
The topic has been discussed at length here, however, it remains gospel. Clutch performances can come from anyone at anytime. Saladino's unlikely single—he's hitting .265 at the moment—was another piece of proof muddled up in the pudding.
Jay Bruce Puts His Power on Display
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Who: Cincinnati Red outfielder Jay Bruce
When: July 25 vs. San Francisco Giants
Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre wasn't the only player to crush two home runs on July 25. Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce achieved that feat himself, helping the Reds overcome the San Francisco Giants by a final score of 7-5.
Bruce used Giants pitcher Jake Peavy as a punching bag. He blasted a shot in the fourth inning and one in the sixth off the veteran starter.
Clutch hitting like this is worthy of a mention. Bruce has consistently been a source for power, and his mid-summer outing against the Giants showcased that.
Dolph Ziggler Steps His Game Up
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Who: WWE superstar Dolph Ziggler
When: July 26, SmackDown Live
WWE's second live show this week, SmackDown, featured a Six-Pack Challenge. The winner of said match would get a chance to take Dean Ambrose's WWE Championship away from him at SummerSlam.
John Cena, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, Bray Wyatt, Apollo Crews and Dolph Ziggler all stepped into the ring. Against all odds, Ziggler won the match.
It's a huge bump for a guy who has been seemingly forgotten over the last year—he was slotted in a six-man ladder match at WrestleMania 32. Because of the win, he will now to go on to co-headline the company's second biggest show.
Not bad in terms of being clutch.
Francisco Lindor Helps Shock the Washington Nationals
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Who: Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor
When: July 26 vs. Washington Nationals
The Cleveland Indians were facing a two-run deficit heading into the bottom of the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals. Somehow, the club rallied back and wound up winning the contest 7-6.
Despite the win being a group effort, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor was the man who drove in the go-ahead run. Lindor stepped to the plate and sliced an RBI single into the outfield.
That hit sent his teammates and fans alike into a frenzy.
Baseball seems to be getting more exciting with each passing week. All of these late-inning heroics are making it tough to stay away from the TV.
All stats, box scores and information via Sports-Reference.com, unless noted otherwise.
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