Alex Verdugo made his World Series debut Friday, and it was an eventful night for the former Boston Red Sox outfielder.
Verdugo had the web gem of the night when he made a diving catch in the bottom of the 10th inning. The 28-year-old dove into the stands while retrieving Shohei Ohtani’s foul ball and threw the ball while outside the diamond, which certainly was an interesting tactic. It would have been a highlight in New York Yankees lore, but after intentionally walking Mookie Betts, Nestor Cortes gave up a walk-off grand slam to Freddie Freeman.
The epic moment gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the 2024 World Series, and while it did eliminate a highlight from Verdugo, the outfielder also had his lowlights.
Verdguo’s night got off to a horrible start when he misplayed a ball at left field that turned what should have been a Freeman single into a triple for the Dodgers first baseman. What made the blunder even worse or hilarious depending on your rooting interest was that Verdugo blew a bubble while playing the ball.
The eighth-year outfielder had a chance for his own hero moment in the sixth inning. Verdugo was at the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. But in a sight Red Sox fans might be familiar with, Verdugo chased an Anthony Banda fastball and struck out to end the inning.
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New York could experience the wild Verdugo ride again as it tried to even up the World Series on Saturday.
Featured image via Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images
