Alejandro Kirk has completed loads of memorable issues in his big-league profession, however Friday night time at Rogers Centre introduced one thing solely new: velocity. In Toronto’s 6-5 comeback win over the Texas Rangers, the Blue Jays catcher not solely delivered a two-run homer within the seventh and a go-ahead two-run single within the eighth, he additionally pulled off the unthinkable — his first profession stolen base.
It got here within the backside of the eighth after Kirk’s clutch single. On an 0-2 pitch to Myles Straw, he broke for second. Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka popped up however didn’t trouble throwing, and Kirk slid in safely. For a participant ranked 533rd out of 539 certified runners in dash velocity this season, the second was equal elements stunning and electrical.
Chris Bassitt couldn’t resist poking enjoyable at his teammate, saying, “He’s catching Rickey [Henderson] slowly, I feel. He’s simply acquired to play a bit longer.” Jokes apart, Bassitt admitted Kirk might sneak a handful of luggage annually as a result of pitchers hardly ever account for him on the bases.
Alejandro Kirk leads the way in which in Blue Jays win, chases Rickey Henderson report
The gang roared as “First profession stolen base” flashed throughout the videoboard. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bolted from the handshake line to tear second base out of the bottom, presenting it to Kirk as a souvenir. “This could go down in Main League historical past,” supervisor John Schneider mentioned, grinning after the sport.
For Kirk, the choice to run wasn’t even his personal thought. First base coach Mark Budzinski gave him the inexperienced mild, and Kirk recalled by a translator, “I simply rotated and checked out him. I used to be like … ‘Are you severe?’” That disbelief became pure pleasure, as Kirk flashed extra emotion than typical all through the night time. His fist pump after the go-ahead hit and his smile whereas carrying second base summed it up — a profession night time for certainly one of Toronto’s most reserved gamers.
His supervisor identified the larger that means, too. “The extra you do that, somebody flips the primary domino down and guys type of really feel like, ‘OK, it’s my flip to do one thing to assist us win,’” Schneider mentioned.
Toronto wanted each little bit of it. Bassitt gave up a three-run shot to Higashioka within the second, and Jacob deGrom shut the Blue Jays down by 5 innings. Marcus Semien added a two-run homer within the eighth to provide Texas the lead once more. However Toronto’s resilience confirmed, with Bo Bichette, Daulton Varsho, and Kirk sparking a four-run inning that swung the sport again.
By the point Jeff Hoffman closed the door within the ninth, the Jays had notched their thirty ninth comeback win of the season and improved to 72-51, extending their maintain atop the AL East. Kirk’s huge night time — two hits, 4 RBI, and that inconceivable stolen base — grew to become the story, although. The unlikely thief could also be 1,405 steals behind Henderson, however don’t inform him he can’t add one other. “If they offer me the inexperienced mild … I’m taking it,” Kirk mentioned.