BOSTON -- While Christian Vazquez's 3-for-4 day played a big role in the Red Sox's 7-5 win over the Rays on Sunday at Fenway Park, his defense behind the plate also played a pivotal role.
Vazquez's most impressive defensive moment came in the ninth inning with Rays third baseman Daniel Robertson at the plate. On a 1-0 pitch, Robertson lifted a ball along the first-base side that looked as though it was going out of play.
Not to Vazquez. He leapt up into the netting to make sure the ball didn't touch anything but his glove.
"I looked like [NBA Hall-of-Famer Michael] Jordan," Vazquez said with a laugh. "I was just trying to get it before it touched the net. That's why I jumped."
Vazquez pumped his fist after the catch, and gave some head nods to his teammates in the field.
The catch proved the beginning of a 1-2-3 inning for closer Craig Kimbrel to secure the win.