SEATTLE -- Greg Allen had other plans when the Mariners were mounting a comeback during the eighth inning against the Indians on Monday.
Edwin Encarnacion and Omar Narvaez blasted back-to-back jacks to pull Seattle within one run, and when Ryon Healy unleashed a 97.2-mph line drive off Dan Otero deep to right, it looked like the Mariners' third baseman was headed for extra bases.
Enter Allen.
The speedy right fielder needed to go 87 feet in 4.8 seconds to make what -- at least by Statcast’s classifications -- was among the most difficult catches converted for an out this season. Allen laid out on the warning track and made a spectacular one-handed grab to his right for the third out, which helped Cleveland go on to win 6-4.
Here is some of the commentary from an Indians clubhouse that marveled at Allen’s act:
“I felt like I caught it pretty low to the ground and kind of as I was sliding. I could kind of feel the ball in the glove, and I just did the best that I could to make sure it stayed there,” Allen said.
“I was trying to elevate, but [Healy] put a good swing on it. Luckily, it was going to stay in the park and [Allen] made a heck of a play,” Otero said. “It’s a great play and it helped us win.”
“It was like he willed himself to catch that ball,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “That was an amazing catch. I’m sure you’ll see it time and time again.”