Both by time and innings played, Game 3 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox represented the longest World Series game in MLB history.
Pitching dominated the matchup for both sides, with rookie Walker Buehler putting forth seven shutout innings in another high-stakes start. Possessing a 1-0 lead, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was tasked with recording the final six outs of the game.
The Red Sox wouldn’t go down quietly, however, as outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a game-tying solo home run in the eighth that ultimately paved the way for extra innings.
With the score still evened up at 1-1, the Red Sox would eventually take the lead in the 13th courtesy of an infield single by Eduardo Nuñez. Down to their final three outs, the Dodgers were in search of a break facing tough right-hander Nathan Eovaldi.
Muncy kickstarted the inning with a leadoff walk and later advanced to second base due in part to heads-up baserunning. Staring in the face of a potential 3-0 deficit, Yasiel Puig looked to extend the game in any way he could with two outs.
On a 1-1 pitch, he lined a ground ball to second baseman Ian Kinsler, who proceeded to rush his throw to first baseman Christian Vazquez. The ball sailed wide to his right, allowing Muncy to cross the plate as the tying run.
Muncy would later win it for the Dodgers in the 18th with a walk-off home run, giving the club newfound momentum in the World Series.
After the game, Kinsler reflected on his costly mishap, via Ian Browne of MLB.com:
“I just had the last out in my glove and couldn’t get it over there. It was tough to swallow,” said Kinsler.
Kinsler’s misplay wound up extending the game another five innings, further exhausting players on both sides. The 36-year-old admitted to feeling fatigued afterward, but is looking forward to a clean slate in Game 4:
“We’re all exhausted,” Kinsler said. “We gave everything we had, like we do every game. It didn’t go our way tonight, but there’s another game tomorrow.”
While Kinsler’s mistake proved detrimental in the Red Sox’s push to take a 3-0 lead over the Dodgers, he could very well have an immediate chance for redemption.
Should Los Angeles send a left-handed starter to the mound on Saturday, Kinsler figures to crack the starting lineup with hopes of making up for his blunder less than 24 hours ago.