REPORTING:The Reds fall victim to the contact play in the ninth inning, resulting in their loss to the Tigers.However, when it fails…
The contact play in baseball is similar to an all-out blitz in football. When executed successfully, it can turn a situation into a major play. However, when it fails, it can backfire significantly. In their 5-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Friday, the Cincinnati Reds were burned by the contact play. “We aim for perfection and strive to succeed every time we use it,” Reds manager David Bell stated. “Although our success rate hasn’t been ideal, we’ll keep employing this strategy with one out.”
With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning and a sold-out crowd at Great American Ball Park, the Reds had outfielder Blake Dunn on third base and catcher Tyler Stephenson at the plate. Manager David Bell called the contact play, instructing Dunn to sprint home immediately upon contact. However, Stephenson hit a ground ball directly to Tigers third baseman Matt Vierling, who threw Dunn out at the plate for the second out of the inning. In the next at-bat, Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte singled, which would have driven in Dunn if not for the previous out. With two outs and two runners on base, Reds infielder Santiago Espinal grounded out, ending the game.
