"Anxious" Beltran duped by pickoff move to end game
Right fielder Carlos Beltran is among the most efficient base stealers in major league history. He was at 87 percent on 303 steals in 348 attempts before Friday night, when he made a rare but very costly baserunning mistake to end the game as the St. Louis Cardinals lost at Philadelphia 3-1.
In the second inning, Beltran had homered off Philadelphia right-hander Roy Halladay for one of just two hits the Cardinals had off Halladay in eight innings. Then, with two out in the ninth, Beltran singled with two out off right-hander Jonathan Papelbon.
First baseman Allen Craig, who had doubled with one out, was held at third base by coach Jose Oquendo even though it was unlikely Phillies right fielder Domonic Brown would have thrown home.
After bluffing a steal attempt, Beltran was set to go to second with third baseman David Freese at bat. A successful steal would be put two runners in scoring position, but ...
"I got a little bit anxious," said Beltran.
Papelbon pulled the classic step-to-third-then-throw-to-first move. When Papelbon discovered Beltran already had lit out to second, he turned and bounced a throw there, but shortstop Jimmy Rollins tagged out Beltran to end the game.
"He picked his leg up," said Beltran, "and I thought he was going home. He made a pickoff move on me. You can't end a game like that."
Manager Mike Matheny said tersely, "The pitcher made a third-to-first move. (Beltran) was running. That's all there is to it."
