MLB team doomed by ‘horrific execution’ on risky play

Things have not gone particularly well for the Los Angeles Angels in 2024. Even in victory, a play from Saturday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners highlighted the Halos’ struggles.

As the name suggests, there’s a lot of risk in a suicide squeeze. If the hitter fails to get a bat on the ball, the runner charging home from third is completely hung out to dry. Similarly, if the ball is bunted in the air and caught, the runner on third is almost certain to get doubled off.

On the other hand, if the hitter gets a bat on the ball and it isn’t popped up, then it’s a virtual certainty that the run will score — and probably easily. But a virtual certainty is not an absolute certainty. The Angels found that out the hard way.

With the score tied 4-4, Taylor Ward led the bottom of the eighth inning off for the Angels with a double. When he advanced to third base on a wild pitch, Los Angeles — with a runner on third base with nobody out — was in prime position to take the lead. That quickly changed.

The Halos called for a suicide squeeze. The hitter, Jack López, did what he needed to do. He got a bat on the ball, bunted it fair and into the ground. Unfortunately for the Angels, the ball stopped once it hit the ground.

Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh pounced and tagged Ward out. He then threw to first baseman Justin Turner, who tagged López to complete the double play.

To say the least, the play got people’s attention.

As noted, the Angels shook off this mistake relatively well. With the score still tied in the ninth, Mickey Moniak drilled a walk-off home run .

Still, bunting practice might not be the worst idea.

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