The Pittsburgh Pirates came into Friday’s game versus the Texas Rangers with the second-worst record in the National League at 30-46. In the first inning, center fielder Oneil Cruz looked as if the losing had worn him down. Or he was frustrated at making another error at his position.
On a Sam Haggerty single to center, Cruz ran over to field the ball but it went under his glove. Errors happen but rather than chase after the ball, Cruz stood and watched the ball roll away, presumably mad at himself for his mistake.
Adam Frazier backed up the play, yet if Cruz had immediately run after the ball, he probably would have gotten to the ball first. It was a bad look for the young star, who appeared to be giving up on the play.
As a result of Cruz’s lackadaisical approach, Josh Smith scored from first base and Haggerty advanced all the way to third base. Pirates starting pitcher Mike Burrows followed up with a wild pitch, which allowed Haggerty to score for a 2-0 Rangers lead.
Cruz was charged with his seventh error of the season on the play, which leads all MLB outfielders. He’s playing his first full season in center field after moving over from shortstop last season.
But this had nothing to do with technique, positioning or familiarity with the outfield. Again, players make errors but exacerbating them with a lack of effort cost the Pirates two runs. Not hustling after the ball might be even more inexcusable from a speedy player like Cruz, who ranks second in MLB with 25 stolen bases.
However, Cruz’s inexperience at his position may have been a factor in the seventh inning when he misplayed Marcus Semien’s deep drive to left-center field. Rather than play the carom off the wall, Cruz let the ball bounce off his glove then collided with left fielder Alexander Canario.
Semien was credited with a triple on the play and was driven in by an Adolis García double off the top of the center field wall for a 5-2 Rangers lead.
That nearly gave García his second home run of the game after he went deep in the fourth inning. Corey Seager added a homer in the fifth inning.
Meanwhile, Cruz is 0-for-4 at the plate in addition to his misplays in center field.
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