Atlanta Braves pitcher Tyler Matzek pulled off a tremendous double play during Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Atlanta Braves did the unthinkable on Saturday night by scoring four runs in the bottom of the 12th inning to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-7. In case you needed further proof that literally anything is possible, just take a look at what pitcher Tyler Matzek pulled off on Sunday night.
With the Braves leading the Phillies 5-1 in the top of the seventh inning, Matzek faced off against Odubel Herrera with Rhys Hoskins on first. Herrera hit a bouncing ground ball towards Matzek, who turned his back to the ball and actually snagged it with his glove positioned at the back of his head! From there, Matzek threw the ball to Dansby Swanson at second base, who then threw it to Freddie Freeman to get Herrera out at first for an unreal double play!
Braves: Tyler Matzek’s magical double play against Phillies on Sunday
That was simply a magical play by Matzek, who is no doubt going to make the top 10 plays of the weekend list. Matzek entered the seventh inning with a four-run cushion at his disposal and left unscathed thanks to the double play and a strikeout to Scott Kingery to end the inning.
It is quite possible that Matzek’s play added to Atlanta’s momentum. In the bottom of the eighth inning, third baseman Austin Riley knocked in second baseman Ozzie Albies on an RBI double to extend their lead to 6-1 and secure the win.
Simply put, the Braves are must-watch television right now.