Baez didn't get the "don't Panik" memo ? pic.twitter.com/Dx9iD9Lpgo
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 28, 2018
Looks like you can’t do that.
Leading into the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the only San Francisco Giants offense had been a pair of solo shots from Evan Longoria and Brandon Crawford. Behind a four-run fourth inning, the Dodgers held a slight 4-2 lead during the seventh inning stretch.
That’s when things got a bit weird.
The rally started when Brandon Belt reached first after bunting against the shift. After a wild pitch moved Belt to second, Austin Jackson grounded into a fielders choice and reached first. Brandon Crawford walked to put runners on first and second, and a Gorkyz Hernandez single scored Jackson from first.
Kelby Tomlinson stepped up to the plate, and promptly lined a double to left and the game was tied 4-4. With runners on second and third, Joe Panik stepped up to the plate.
Maybe it was Panik’s recent power surge that struck fear in the heart of Dodgers pitcher Pedro Baez. Maybe the 30-year-old reliever just stumbled during his delivery. The baseball world will never truly know.
Either way, Baez stumbled on his way to the plate, dropping the ball on the way. The umpire called a balk, and both runners were allowed to advance a base. Jackson crossed home, and the Giants took a 5-4 lead.
They would add one more when Panik pushed a fly ball out to deep right field, scoring Tomlinson from third, and took a 6-4 lead into the eighth inning.
Small ball is back, baby.
Sam Hustis covers the Giants for KNBR.com. You can follow him on twitter @SamHustis.