Kipnis tries for 13th inning inside-the-park HR, gets shutdown by rocket throw
The Indians' 14-inning loss to the Diamondbacks Tuesday was a wild contest pushed further into the wee hours of the morning by an excellent defensive play.
With the score tied at 8 in the top of the 13th, Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis tried to give Cleveland the edge with a show of extreme hustle.
Kipnis sprinted his way around the bases after D-backs center fielder Ender Inciarte misplayed Kipnis' deep drive to center. Instead of settling for a triple with two outs in the inning, Kipnis headed home but was stymied by a superb cutoff play by D-backs shortstop Didi Gregorius.
That was more than ample atonement for a third-inning error Gregorius made on a groundball.
Manager Terry Francona did not regret the decision to send Kipnis: "I thought it was good base running. I thought it was good coaching, Sarby (third base coach Mike Sarbaugh) to recognize it and Kip to give it a chance, and then an even better play (by Gregorius). That was a really good throw."
Five hours and 32 minutes later, the Diamondbacks ended it in walk-off fashion with an Aaron Hill RBI single.
Still, an A for effort for Kipnis and A+ for prowess for Gregorius (though he still can't top Yoenis Cespedes).
