In between praising Manny Machado and trying to figure out Freddie Freeman’s throwing lane, announcer John Smoltz realized what had actually happened as a fleet of San Diego Padres were circling the bases in the second inning of NLDS Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“When I first saw the Manny Machado play, I thought he was going in a direct line,” Smoltz admitted before the mad dash’s fifth replay, following Jake Cronenworth’s agonizing infield single. “He actually got to the grass at one point, and it’s smart on his part. He got to the grass, and made that angle really hard.”
He sure did, John. He sure did get to the grass. In fact, he spent half of his trek between first and second on the infield turf, taking advantage of Freeman’s rolled ankle and inability to stand up or situate himself properly…