Sometimes, outfielders need a little help from their friends.
That sure was the case for Nationals center fielder Jacob Young at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night.
Batting in the bottom of the fourth inning, Dodgers infielder Max Muncy lifted a towering fly ball -- with a 44-degree launch angle -- towards Young in center field. Immediately, Young threw his hands out to indicate that he lost the ball in the lights.
As Young drifted in, Nationals second baseman Luis García Jr. sprinted out -- trying to signal to Young that the ball was sailing behind him, towards right-center field. That’s when right fielder Daylen Lile spawned, out of nowhere, to make a running backhand catch on the warning track, securing the third out of the inning.
The three players -- Young, Lile and Garcia Jr. -- were all smiles when they convened for a high-five in shallow center field. No word on if Young will be treating Lile to a steak dinner.
And in the box score, it’s simply a harmless fly ball to right field.