On first inspection, Matt Kemp‘s catch on Tuesday night to preserve the Dodgers’ 6-5 win over the Giants may not look so spectacular. However, it’s a well-known fact, especially among center fielders, that the most difficult catch is on a ball hit directly over your head. So, Kemp’s catch is actually among the best you’ll see all year.
With the Dodgers leading the Giants by a run, Marco Scutaro faced Los Angeles’ Steven Rodriguez with two outs and runners on first and second in the top of the ninth inning. With a 1-1 count, Scutaro got what appeared to be a hanging slider and smacked it out to straightaway center field, right over Kemp’s head. Kemp hadn’t played since May 29 due to a hamstring injury, but he didn’t look out of step at all in tracking down Scutaro’s liner, running full speed and sliding onto the warning track to make the grab.
After the spectacular, game-ending catch, Kemp popped up quickly and smacked the center field wall with a high five. Check out the amazing grab and Kemp’s effusive reaction in the video below.
