Seiya Suzuki’s mistake Tuesday night will be one that haunts his dreams.
The Cubs right fielder misjudged a ball to right field that should have been an inning-ending out in the eighth against the host Braves, but ended up falling to the ground.
The miscalculation allowed two points to be scored – including the game winner – in what ended up being a 7-6 victory for Atlanta.
It was a brutal way for the Cubs to lose after taking a 6-0 lead through the first six innings of the game.
“I actually saw it pretty good until the very last second,” Suzuki said through an interpreter after the match. “Honestly, I thought it went into my glove, so it was just that split second where it blurred my vision.”
Braves catcher Sean Murphy hit what looked like a routine fly ball to right field that Suzuki and center fielder Cody Bellinger charged.
Nevertheless, Suzuki, thinking he had a strike on the ball, called Bellinger back so he could catch the ball.
Instead, the right fielder narrowly missed the ball, dropping it to the ground.
A distraught Suzuki dropped to its knees in frustration.
“I thought he was going to be caught, but he (was lost) in the lights or whatever happened, I don’t know,” Murphy said. “It’s good to be lucky some days.”
The replay showed Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly initially thinking his teammate had made the catch before quickly realizing the ball was still in play, and he was quickly in disbelief.
“Those mistakes in the outfield don’t really lead to the best result, so I feel like I need to be more aware when I go out there and focus on my game,” Suzuki said.
The loss was even more devastating for the Cubs as they are fighting hard to maintain their playoff position.
Chicago is now just a half-game ahead of the Marlins for the final National League wild card spot.
They have two more games against the Braves in Atlanta before heading to Milwaukee for their final series of the season against the NL Central champion Brewers.
Chicago is now 11-13 in September.
— With AP
New York Post
