Last Night’s Highlights: Conforto Throws 94 MPH to Get Arrieta at the Plate; Lindor, The Phillies, More

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Last night the Chicago Cubs loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, down just one run to the New York Mets.

After the Mets closer, Jeurys Familia, got the first out, Kris Bryant – the NL home run leader, 2015 Rookie of the Year, and 2016 MVP Candidate – stepped up to the plate with fire in his belly and courage in his heart … before weakly grounding into a game-ending double play.

I was deflated. A great baseball moment was stolen from us. Luckily, there were still many other highlights from last night, including a big play from that very game. So let’s start there and check in on some of last night’s highlights:

1. The final score of the Mets/Cubs game from Tuesday was just 2-1; however, the Cubs nearly scored an additional run earlier in the game. In the bottom of the fourth inning the 2015 NL Cy Young winner, Jake Arrieta, hit a two-out double to keep the inning alive. Then, one batter later, Tommy La Stella hit a line-drive single into right field and the Cubs third base coach sent Arrieta screaming around third, aiming for home. Unfortunately, for the Cubs, Mets right fielder Michael Conforto made an amazing 94.3 MPH to get Arrieta at home. It saved a run and maybe saved the game. Check it out:

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2. Before becoming one of the best overall shortstops in the Major Leagues, Francisco Lindor was one of the best known prospects around. Recognized, in particular, for his defense, Lindor has continued to shine with the glove in the Major Leagues. As of July 20, Lindor has saved the third most runs as a shortstop and has the second highest overall defensive rating. In other words, he’s good at what he does. Check out his ability to make tough plays look routine:

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3. A good middle infield can go a long way in baseball. Your team’s shortstop and second baseman constantly work together and touch the ball more often than anyone outside of the battery. For example of a middle duo that works, check out the smoothness of Freddie Galvis and Cesar Hernandez on a ball hit up the middle:

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In today’s “Oh and also,” we have some unusual on-the-field, non-baseball goings on.

  • The Phillie Phanatic catches a Pikachu
  • An A’s vendor get hit on the butt with a foul ball
  • A Phillies fan makes an excellent catch
  • What you may have missed:

  • This guys is visiting 30 Ballparks in 30 Days
  • Chapman and Cabrera deliver some serious heat, reaching 105 MPH
  • Yesterday’s Last Night’s Highlights
  • written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

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