Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Miguel Vargas made an error in the outfield during his team’s game against the Boston Red Sox on Friday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. He was able to correct his error just one inning later.
The Dodgers trailed the Red Sox 1-0 with the bases empty in the top of the seventh. Red Sox first baseman Dominic Smith led off the inning with a deep fly ball to left-center field.
Vargas and center fielder Andy Pages made contact with the ball and tried to wave each other off. Pages eventually gave way to Vargas, who missed the catch. Smith was given a double on the play, but the ball was clearly catchable.
Coaches around the world will show this as a “what not to do when playing left field” tutorial. image.twitter.com/2QUlKqpuTh
— Talking about baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 20, 2024
It’s an unspoken rule that corner outfielders must yield to the center fielder in such situations. The Dodgers managed to get through the inning unscathed, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke to Vargas about the incident once the half inning was over.
It didn’t take long for Vargas to make amends to his manager. The Dodgers left fielder made an incredible throw into an inning-ending double play just one inning later.
With one out in the top of the eighth inning, Red Sox outfielder Tyler O’Neill reached base on a single. When Rafael Devers followed with a fly ball to left field, O’Neill strayed well clear of the first baseman’s bag. Vargas punished him by unleashing his right-arm cannon to get O’Neill out at first.
Miguel Vargas turns a 7-3 double play with a cannon shot. image.twitter.com/h2uYImg7As
— MLB (@MLB) July 20, 2024
The Dodgers challenged the call, but a replay confirmed that Vargas did indeed ground out O’Neill for a rare 7-3 double play.
The impressive defensive turnout may have helped spark the Dodgers’ offense. The home team loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning for All-Star slugger Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers first baseman hit a grand slam to give his team a 4-1 lead and, ultimately, the win.
Freddie Freeman turns this game around with a grand slam in the eighth inning! image.twitter.com/uoMq3PJRgM
— MLB (@MLB) July 20, 2024
O’Neill may have been in a slump Friday after Vargas doubled him, but his out was far from the unluckiest play of the day, which fell to San Francisco Giants infielder Brett Wisely.
