Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young made two incredible catches Sunday that sent the New York Mets to a costly defeat.
Young incredibly used his foot to rob Brett Baty of extra bases with a juggling grab in the fifth inning, then made a leaping play in the ninth to take away a potential game-tying homer from Francisco Álvarez.
With the Mets down 3-1, Baty led off the fifth with a long fly ball to center field against Jake Irvin. Young raced back and got twisted around a bit with the ball tailing back over his head.
He turned his body and leaped at the wall, but the ball was jarred out of his glove when he hit the fence. The ball never touched the wall, however, and a stumbling Young kicked it back up into the air with his right foot – hacky-sack style – before gloving it a second time for a circus catch.
Umpires immediately ruled Baty out as he sprinted around second base.
In the ninth inning, Alvarez led off with a high line drive to deep left-center field. Young again raced back and jumped, this time catching the ball cleanly at the top of the fence to help preserve a 3-2 victory.
New York, who have lost 11 of 15, began the day with a one-game lead over Cincinnati for the final National League wild card spot.