TORONTO – Props were coming at Ryan Goins from several places after his latest display of defensive brilliance.
The second baseman stole a hit from Javier Baez to end Monday’s 8-0 win over the Chicago Cubs, reaching back across his body to grab a soft flare that cued in the opposite direction off the turf and threw out the runner.
“That was unbelievable,” said Marcus Stroman. “I honestly think he’s the best defensive second baseman in the league, hands down. He makes every single play, he makes a lot of tough plays look easy, and he turns it over there with the best of them. Having him out there, I know that anything in the vicinity of second base is an out.”
Was the play pure reaction?
“Yeah,” said Goins. “When he hit it I was going to try and get it in the air, but it was coming down quick. Honestly, I was going at it hard, I saw it bounce and threw my hand up and it just hit me in the palm, so it was perfect.
“I just let my body take over and whatever happens, happens.”
The ball bounced the way it did because of the spin on it as it landed on the turf, which amplifies the effect.
“You see it more in the outfield with balls on the line,” said Goins. “A ball in the infield like that is kind of weird.”
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Jose Bautista’s three-run shot Monday was his 32nd of the season and 200th with the Blue Jays. Ahead of him on the all-time list are Carlos Delgado (336), Vernon Wells (223), Joe Carter (203) and George Bell (202).
“It’s obviously a great personal accolade,” said Bautista. “I’m very proud and honoured to have done it, just really happy. I’m going to enjoy this one, like I always say with personal goals, more in the off-season. We have a bigger goal that we’re focused on right now, and that’s trying to make the playoffs.”
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One of the most impressive things about Marcus Stroman’s season is his ability to recover and adjust from bad outings and return quickly to success.