Martin swipes home on double steal in DC
Catcher becomes first Blue Jay to complete feat since 2012
WASHINGTON -- Russell Martin became the first Blue Jays player since 2012 to steal home when he scored on a bizarrre play in the seventh inning of Toronto's 7-3 victory Tuesday night against the Nationals.
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The Blue Jays had runners on the corners with two outs in the top of the seventh inning when Chris Colabello took off for second base. Martin had been leading off third base and when catcher Jose Lobaton made the throw to second, he broke for home.
Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond attempted to come up with the grab and was going to make a throw home, but instead the ball hit off his glove and Martin easily scored. That put the Blue Jays in front, 7-3, as Martin became the first Toronto player to steal home since Brett Lawrie did it on April 22, 2012, at Kansas City.
It also marked the first time in Martin's career that he stole home. He has three stolen bases this season, which is one away from the total amount Martin had in all of 2014.
"That's what we call a double steal," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons jokingly said to reporters after the game.