Walker Buehler turned in seven scoreless innings to help the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates for an 11th consecutive time, but his night nearly began with an early deficit.
Pirates rookie Ke’Bryan Hayes lifted a fly ball down the right-field line that cleared the high fence at PNC Park for a solo home run in the first inning. Hayes’ drive appeared to hit off the base of the foul pole but there was some question as to whether it remained fair.
So when the Dodgers challenged, it was believed to be under that pretense. However, the umpires came away from the review and signaled Hayes was ruled out. At that point it became known he never stepped on first base.
The attention to detail was initially caught by Austin Barnes and Clayton Kershaw, both of whom were sitting near first base in the dugout.
“I was wondering why we were challenging, and I guess Barnes actually caught that. He noticed it live and told them,” Chris Taylor revealed. “I’ve never seen that before.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was seated closer to home plate, per usual, and he too credited Kershaw and Barnes for catching Hayes’ misstep.
“Austin and Clayton were more down at the end of the dugout, so they had a better vantage point. Those guys — Austin in particular — get credit for getting Chad Chop, the replay guy, on it. That was a big play,” Roberts said.
“I think that allowed Walker to settle into that game and have an efficient first. … I think the thing with our guys is they watch the game. They use their eyes, and it’s good when you have not only talented players, but smart players and guys that watch the baseball game.
“It’s a credit to those guys that they’re watching the game for little things like that. Not surprised, but it was a big catch by Barnesy.”
Hayes later ran into another out when he attempted to tag from first base on a fly ball to left field.
Buehler credits Dodgers’ defense
Buehler was not only picked up by Barnes and Kershaw, but the Dodgers’ defense as he mustered just two strikeouts and pitched to contact.
“They put it in play and the defense played well,” Buehler said. “Obviously got lucky there in the first and kind of went from there. Defense played well. They got the guys out for me. Kind of an interesting one and little different for me than usual, but happy to win.”
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