Kemp makes jaw-dropping catch, even by his standards

ANAHEIM -- If Tony Kemp is playing second base, at the very least you can expect some solid defense. Oftentimes -- like in the eighth inning of the A’s 4-3 loss at Angel Stadium on Tuesday night -- you might see something unforgettable.

This time, it was a running catch that sent Kemp tumbling midair to take a hit and, almost certainly, an RBI away from Angels rookie Livan Soto.

“Tony’s made some great plays this year,” said manager Mark Kotsay. “He definitely has the ability to make those types of spectacular plays that we saw earlier. At the time of the play, it's a momentum shifter and, obviously, exciting for the ballclub.”

• Box score

Although it didn’t lead to a win, it was huge in the moment, as Jo Adell had just broken a tie with an RBI single. With one out and Adell at second, Soto, who already had two hits and an RBI in the game, stepped to the plate looking for more.

Kemp, who’d entered in the top of the frame as a pinch-hitter, ensured that didn’t happen. Soto popped an 0-2 slider from A.J. Puk into shallow right field that easily could have fallen in for a hit and another run. Instead, Kemp reached out to grab the ball and turned a flip while still airborne -- and, most importantly, managed to hold on for the out. Soto’s fly ball had a .530 expected batting average, according to Statcast.

Asked where the play ranks in his career, Kemp said, “Definitely top 10. I think I kind of surprised myself there.”

By outs above average, Kemp ranks as a top 10 second baseman in the Majors in 2022. That’s no small feat, given that OAA is a cumulative stat and Kemp has split his time between second base and left field this year, therefore not earning as many reps at second as others in the list. Beyond the dependability, though, it’s these kinds of jaw-dropping plays that have made Kemp so fun to watch with the glove. And by now, it’s the sort of thing Kemp’s teammates anticipate from him.

“Every week, there's one from Tony and it's top notch,” said starter James Kaprielian, who allowed three runs over six innings. “... It’s just kind of what you'd expect from that guy. He's going to play hard all game. It's fun to watch. It's great to have him behind us.”

Kaprielian had his own acrobatic moment in the third inning, which occurred as the result of a lack of communication between him and first baseman Dermis Garcia. Either could have caught a Taylor Ward infield pop fly that was skied between them, and Garcia wasn’t forceful enough in calling Kaprielian off, causing their legs to collide and sending Kaprielian tumbling into a backward somersault.

Kaprielian was fine after the play, staying in to finish the inning and throwing three more scoreless frames afterwards.

“I'm going to go for the ball until I get called off,” said Kaprielian. “Just a little miscommunication there. The only thing that matters is we got the out. So Dermis did a great job making the play.”