The Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers combined for five home runs in the opener of their three-game series, with Jake Lamb and Justin Turner each slugging two. Lamb’s second was a grand slam that hit off the foul pole in right field and proved the difference for the Diamondbacks.
Lamb’s drive down the right-field line resembled that of a routine fly ball, and it appeared as though Yasiel Puig had a read on the ball. Despite his leaping effort, the ball was out of his rach and hit off the base of the pole.
That was not the case in the sixth inning, however, as Puig robbed J.D. Martinez of a game-tying solo home run. Martinez lifted a 2-2 pitch from Pedro Baez to the opposite field that, watching live, appeared to have just enough to carry over the fence.
Puig measured the ball’s flight as he reached the warning track, then fence, and leaped up to make a spectacular catch.
The play drew a reaction from both Diamondbacks and Dodgers fans. Upon reaching the dugout at the end of the inning, Puig received a standing ovation from Dodgers fans who were seated in sections behind the team’s dugout.
Puig’s catch was yet another highlight in what’s been a Gold-Glove caliber campaign for the 26-year-old. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has referred to Puig as the best right fielder in baseball on multiple occasions this season.
Should Puig win a Gold Glove Award, it would be the first of his five-year career.
