Alex Verdugo makes a crazy catch to take out Shohei Ohtani in extras

New York Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo made an incredible play in extra innings in Game 1 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Yankees led the Dodgers 3-2 in the bottom of the tenth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Shohei Ohtani came to the plate with runners on first and second and one out against Yankees left-hander Néstor Cortés.

Ohtani sliced ​​the first pitch he saw into foul territory in left field. Verdugo chased the ball to the barricade and ended up in the stands just to make the play. Check out Verdugo’s incredible work below.

WOW!!!

ALEX VERDUGO MAKES THE CATCH AND THROWS OVER THE WALL pic.twitter.com/RD0gfw9jzf

– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 26, 2024

Verdugo even had the presence of mind to return the ball to the infield to prevent the runners from advancing. The play put the Yankees one out away from taking a 1-0 lead in the World Series.

Unfortunately for Verdugo and Yankees fans everywhere, Freddie Freeman had other ideas. The Yankees intentionally walked Mookie Betts to load the bases for Freeman. The lame first baseman hit a first-pitch fastball to right field for a grand slam that left the final (video here).

Verdugo was one out away from becoming the Yankees’ extra-innings hero in Game 1. That out never came.