Alcides Escobar shows incredible range, robs Jason Giambi on foul pop
Cleveland Indians designated hitter Jason Giambi made his 2014 season debut Monday night after missing the first 18 games of the season with a broken rib. The 20-year big league veteran went 0-for-4 against Kansas City — and a big reason why was Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar.
During the sixth inning with two outs and a runner on first and the Indians up 4-3, Giambi faced a defensive shift. Escobar started the play fielded as if he were a runner taking a lead off second base. The Cleveland DH popped one up near the third-base dugout that looked like it would drop for a harmless strike. Instead, Escobar showed incredible range and made a sliding catch. The play drew raves on Twitter.
Ran at least 120 feet. @Royals No lie, this catch by Alcides Escobar is incredible. See for yourselves: http://t.co/KTmlRPaNCf #BeRoyalKC
— Dave Holtzman (@DHoltzy) April 22, 2014
Amazing aspect of Alcides Escobar's catch in Cleveland: I believe the warning track where he dove is rubber and not dirt. Ouch.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) April 22, 2014
Alas, Escobar's sparkling defense wasn't enough as the Indians won 4-3.
Almost enough
Moving to the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder got an incredible four-point play from Kevin Durant and a Kendrick Perkins putback at the end of regulation. But the Memphis Grizzlies beat OKC 111-105 in overtime to even their first round playoff series at 1-1.
Air Granlund
Finally in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Minnesota Wild beat the Colorado Avalanche 1-0 in OT as Mikael Granlund went airborne to tally the game-winner.
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