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Cody Bellinger thwarts Fernando Tatis Jr. heroics with unreal home-run robbery

Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger slams into the outfield wall and makes the catch as he robs San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. of a home run on a deep drive during the seventh inning in Game 2 of a baseball National League Division Series Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
The difference between a one-run lead and a one-run deficit. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

With one runner on base, two outs and a one-run deficit, San Diego Padres MVP candidate Fernando Tatis Jr. had the chance to continue his breakout season.

Then last year’s MVP took it away.

Facing Dodgers flamethrower Brusdar Graterol in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the NLDS, Tatis tagged a 99-mph fastball to deep center field. In many MLB ballparks, it’s a home run to take the lead.

It might have been a homer in Globe Life Field as well, but then Cody Bellinger went ahead and did this:

Given the context, home run robberies don’t get much better than that.

Graterol certainly knew that, judging from his reaction.

Graterol later blew a kiss toward the Padres dugout. At least one of the Padres didn’t approve, as Manny Machado, who had thrown out an epic bat toss an inning earlier, immediately started hurling obscenities at Graterol.

Some of Graterol’s Dodgers teammates responded with a few choice words of their own for Machado, a former Dodger.

Just another inning in the MLB playoffs.

The Dodgers eventually held on to win 6-5 after some ninth-inning drama, and are now one win away from a trip to the NLCS.

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