PITTSBURGH -- Call it a DIY DP from LF.
The Rockies’ Jake McCarthy turned a rare feat for a left fielder -- an unassisted double play in the bottom of the first inning on Wednesday night against the Pirates. It was the first 7U double play in Rockies history and the first in the Majors in 13 seasons.
With Oneil Cruz at second base with one out and moving on the pitch, Bryan Reynolds lined a changeup to left, which had McCarthy moving toward the infield to make the catch.
Cruz had no possibility of making it back to second, so he just kept running. After making the catch, a smiling McCarthy realized he had no reason to throw the ball to an infielder so he kept running -- and laughing -- until he stepped on second to end the inning. It was an unusual double play, but Rockies lefty pitcher Jose Quintana was fine with it.
The Red Sox’s Jonny Gomes turned the last unassisted double play for an MLB left fielder in the top of the 15th inning against the Mariners on July 31, 2013. The most recent two before that were accomplished by the Orioles’ Jay Payton on Sept. 14, 2007 against the Blue Jays and by the Mets’ Joe McEwing on April 4, 2002 against the Pirates.