Williams' sensational grab robs Wieters of hit
Yankees center fielder remains in game after crashing into wall
BALTIMORE -- -- Mason Williams added a highlight-reel play to his brief big league resume in the fourth inning on Saturday, covering a great amount of ground to steal an extra-base hit from Matt Wieters in the Yankees' 9-4 loss to the Orioles at Camden Yards.
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The rookie center fielder, who homered in his Major League debut on Friday, broke toward right-center field and went into a slide on the warning track near the 373-foot sign, snaring the ball before colliding with the fence to help keep the game tied at 2.
"I've been doing it for a while," Williams said. "It's not the first time I've run into the wall. It's probably not going to be the last time. I made the catch; that's all I really cared about."
According to Statcast™, Williams reached a top speed of 20.8 mph and covered 114 feet. His first step was tracked at -0.02 seconds, which means he was moving before the ball was hit.
"I got a good jump, and when I get a good jump, I feel like I can get to the ball," Williams said. "When I get good jumps, a lot of things can happen."
Video: NYY@BAL: Williams collects first MLB hit, home run
It was a play that served as strong evidence of the 23-year-old Williams' scouting report as owning plus speed and defensive ability. He appeared to be shaken up after the play, with his right knee making contact against the wall, but quickly waved off head athletic trainer Steve Donohue and manager Joe Girardi.
"He banged his knee a little bit, but I think he's OK," Girardi said after the game.
Williams had another chance for a big play in the fifth inning, leaping against the center-field wall in pursuit of a deep drive off CC Sabathia, but Williams was unable to snare what was scored as a triple for Nolan Reimold.
"I've got to catch that," Williams said.
Video: NYY@BAL: Reimold triples off the wall in the 5th
Girardi has said that he plans to start Williams in center field against right-handed pitching while Jacoby Ellsbury is on the disabled list. A fourth-round selection by the Yankees in the 2010 Draft, Williams homered Friday off the Orioles' Ubaldo Jimenez in his second Major League at-bat.
Williams was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts on Saturday before yielding to pinch-hitter Chris Young in the sixth inning.