The Atlanta Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 on Wednesday, but their game-winning run was nearly taken off the board. Thankfully, Ron Washington was there to save the day.
Top of the eighth inning, tie ball game. Austin Riley at the plate, runners on the corners for the Atlanta Braves. The third base runner, Michael Harris II. Riley flies out to right field, a short but high-arcing pop up that allows Harris to tag and score at home. Of course third base coach Ron Washington sent him; he's Ron Washington.
The Braves were up 6-5, en route to another victory on the road. The Pittsburgh Pirates looked on, distraught, and appealed to the third base ump. "Out," he said. Harris left the bag early. No run for Atlanta.
Cue the smoke bellowing from the ears of a very distressed Ron Washington, who had the best view of anybody. The exact words Wash spoke are lost to time, but we can read the emotion on his face. The man was not pleased.
Ron Washington saves Atlanta Braves' game-winning run with third base protest
Naturally, the play was reviewed upon Washington's request and, lo and behold, Wash was right. Harris perfectly timed his departure from third base and was, in fact, legally safe at home. The score moved back to 6-5 Braves, and that would be all she wrote. Another in a long line of victories for Atlanta this season.
Washington is one of the most experienced base coaches in the MLB. He understands the nuances of base-running better than just about anybody. Don't count on the umpire, whose attention is split between Harris' foot and the second baseman's glove, to have a better understanding of the situation.
Harris' run was his 48th of the season in 90 games. He has 90 hits on the year too, and he's now splitting .292/.340/.471 at the plate with 11 homers and 35 RBIs. He's one of the few regular Braves starters who didn't make the All-Star team, but his numbers aren't far off. His base-running acumen is only a small part of the package.
The Braves are now 72-40 on the season, 10.5 games ahead of second-place Philadelphia in the NL East. Atlanta is the overwhelming World Series favorite right now. Ron Washington won't get the credit he deserves as a base coach and infield expert, but his entire infield made the All-Star team and he's the master of controlled aggression at third base. Another championship ring would only cement his legacy as an all-timer.
