Pirates' Oneil Cruz talks outfield misplays that fueled Mets' Opening Day win
Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz made two crucial misplays in the Mets' 11-7 Opening Day win on Thursday, and spoke about what happened in that five-run first inning.
No one could have predicted the way the first inning of the Mets ' Opening Day win against the Pirates unfolded. A five-spot for the home team, as the Mets chased reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes before he can complete the first frame. But it could have gone very, very differently for both teams if the outfield defense was shored up.
Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz made two crucial misplays in center field. The first came with one out and the bases loaded. Brett Baty lined an 0-1 changeup over the heart of the plate from Skenes to deep center field.
However, Cruz misread the ball, coming in off the sound of the bat, and by the time he gathered himself, it was too late. Baty's hit went over his head all the way to the Citi Field wall for a bases-clearing triple, which put the Mets up 4-1. "Just the sun was right in front of my face," Cruz said of his misplays after the game, via the team interpreter.
"You don’t want those things to happen, but it was really uncomfortable today to have the sun right in front of my face. I tried my best, but it was kinda tough. " "Worst-case scenario, I was hoping it was going to be a sac fly," Baty said of the play.