Outfielders love racking up assists, since that means they are throwing guys out on the basepaths. But sometimes an outfielder could use an assist from someone else -- even from someone in the stands.
That was the case for Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez, who was playing right field at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night in the Yankees' 2-0 win in the nightcap of a doubleheader.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Yankees' Trent Grisham launched a 2-0 pitch from Pirates starter Bubba Chandler deep down the right-field line. Valdez gave chase and, in foul territory, jumped up against the wall to try and make a great catch. But the ball landed a couple of rows into the seats and Valdez lost his glove in the stands when he collided with the wall.
What is an outfielder to do? Well, in this case, a fan came to the rescue, and even though he played for the visiting team, Valdez had the glove tossed back to him.
Give that fan in the Bronx an "outfield assist."