DETROIT — Riley Greene’s defense continues to kill hopes of extra-base hits in the depths of Comerica Park, and his latest effort was rewarded with the Electric Play of the Week presented by Chevrolet.
The stare on Alex Bregman’s face after Greene’s diving grab on Tuesday spoke volumes to the quality of the catch. The center fielder was nowhere in the neighborhood of the All-Star’s drive as it soared toward the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center field. Nearly 40 yards later, Greene had it in his glove as he skidded along the warning track, belly-first, and quickly picked himself up.
“I was in the grass most of the time,” Greene said after the Tigers’ 6-3 loss to the Astros. “I kind of just slid my way into the track.”
What looked like a seventh-inning RBI triple nearly ended up an 8-4-3 double play as Greene fired the ball back into the infield in an attempt to double up Yordan Alvarez at first base.
Alvarez, who was well past second base when Greene made his catch, barely made it back ahead of Harold Castro’s relay throw.
The catch made little difference in the final outcome, but it was yet another example of why a healthy Greene in center is a sight worth watching, now and in the years to come.
“He never gives up on a play,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He will sell out to the final second, even diving backwards. It’s one thing to dive on these ones coming in or going straight across, but as he’s diving and the ball’s getting farther away from him, these are such hard plays that he’s making. The pitching staff appreciates it. Obviously, we as a coaching staff dream of players like this that never give up on a play until the last second.”