Gorkys Hernandez’s awful mistake on the bases nearly costs Pirates

Being thrown out while running the bases is probably the most embarrassing baseball error in existence. We can understand the occasional misplay of a ball, or a bad throw, but there should really be no excuse for screwing up on the bases. 

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Despite that, it happens. And when it does, it produces some of the most hilarious bloopers. The latest player to become a victim of baseball’s cruelest error was Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.

With the game tied 4-4 in the 14th inning, Hernandez made a base-running gaffe that nearly cost his team the game. After a one out single by Chris Stewart, Hernandez entered the game as a pinch runner. He did not do his job very well.

The next batter, Josh Harrison, sprayed a double to center, and that’s when things got confusing for Hernandez. 

Center fielder Rajai Davis nearly got to the ball, diving at the last second. The ball deflected off Davis’ glove, but Hernandez didn’t see it.

Because of that, Hernandez turned around and attempted to run back to first base, thinking the ball had been caught. He touched second on his way back, but was then waved to keep going by Harrison.

On his way to third base, Hernandez did not retouch second. At first, it appeared no one noticed Hernandez’s gaffe. Eventually, someone on the Detroit Tigers figured it out.

Before throwing his next pitch, Tom Gorzelanny appealed to second base and Hernandez was called out. This was a crucial out in a tie game.

Fortunately for Hernandez, he was let off the hook. Harrison would come around to score on a Neil Walker double, and the Pirates held on for the 5-4 win.

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Though he wasn’t the goat, Hernandez will still have to deal with being the target of our laughter. You had one job, Gorkys, and you failed in spectacular fashion. That’s actually kind of impressive, in a weird way.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik