Yadier Molina picks off Jurickson Profar as he celebrates a first-inning single
The Netherlands got off to a nice start against Puerto Rico on Monday in the first World Baseball Classic semifinal. Andrelton Simmons singled to lead off the game. Xander Bogaerts was then hit by a pitch. The Dutch were in business.
Yadier Molina apparently had seen enough. Puerto Rico's catcher caught Simmons leaning too far away from second and picked him off. Bogaerts took second on the play, then advanced to third when Jurickson Profar singled to right. Eddie Rosario threw a laser to the plate to keep Bogaerts at third, and while Profar was busy celebrating advancing a runner 90 feet, Molina did this:
https://twitter.com/WBCBaseball/status/844003396168441856
The best part is how long Molina waits to actually fire the ball to first, seemingly in disbelief that this opportunity has presented itself. Add it to the list of flashy defensive plays from the WBC.
So that's two outs on the bases for Netherlands to start the game in one full dose of Yadi wrath. Adding a little salt to the wound for the Dutch, the next batter up, Wladimir Balentien, homered to center. Oh, what could've been with a couple more runners in play.
To be fair, it was a solid single. Can't blame Profar for being psyched. Just maybe stand on the bag next time while you gesture to your bench to get pumped.
The winner will face the winner of Tuesday's second semifinal between Team USA and Japan in Wednesday's championship game.
