Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Jake McCarthy helped turn his team’s momentum around in a big way Tuesday.
In the eighth inning, the San Diego Padres were rallying, just a day after they managed to hit a pair of home runs in the ninth inning against the D-backs.
But McCarthy took matters into his own hands Tuesday by making the most impressive catch of his career, helping Arizona win 8-6.
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Jake McCarthy #31 of the Arizona Diamondbacks plays center field in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 10, 2023 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Padres catcher Austin Nola accounted for a tying run as he approached the plate. He hit a fly ball into foul territory, prompting McCarthy to cover 95 feet of ground in just over five seconds.
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But after making the impressive grab, McCarthy’s momentum carried him over the low wall and into a cartwheel onto the pavement.
Despite the fall, the 25-year-old somehow failed to hold on to the baseball. After a fan helped him up, he got up off the ground with his cap on and glasses in hand.
«I had a pretty good read. The wall went up pretty quickly,» McCarthy said. «I don’t think the capture itself was very difficult. But I didn’t realize how close I was to the wall.
«Obviously, I flipped. Luckily, I didn’t get hurt or anything. The concrete didn’t feel great, but it feels good.»
McCarthy earned all-state honors during his time as a running back at Scranton High School in Pennsylvania.
Jake McCarthy #31 and Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 2, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
«Jake is extremely athletic,» D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. «He’s not afraid. He brings a football mentality.»
Xander Bogaerts, who signed an 11-year, $280 million contract as a free agent in December, hit a two-run homer to left-center field with two outs in the fifth, his third, for a 5-1 lead. Juan Soto was on board with a one-out double.
The Diamondbacks began their comeback by scoring three runs with two out in the sixth to make it 5-4. Geraldo Perdomo hit a two-run double and Rojas an RBI single. Rojas’ at bat followed a walk by José Herrera, who was awarded an automatic ball by Nabil Crismatt for a shot clock violation. Herrera ended up walking.
Jake McCarthy #31 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 2, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
They took the lead in the eighth with three singles, one walk, four stolen bases, and two errors.
«We’re a good team, we’re athletic and we’re going to blow things up that we’re supposed to do,» manager Torey Lovullo said.
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Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly is scheduled to start Arizona’s home opener against the Dodgers on Thursday night. Blake Snell will take the mound Thursday for the opener of a four-game series in Atlanta.
Associated Press contributed to this report.