Manager David Ross had no issue with Cubs third base coach Willie Harris waving Jake Marisnick to the plate in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s loss to the Mets.
“Trying to make something happen there late,” Ross said. “I don't have a problem with that at all.”
New York was clinging to a 3-2 lead in the ninth when Eric Sogard hit a lined a single to the outfield. Marisnick, pinch running after Willson Contreras singled, flew around the bases as the ball rolled out to relatively deep right-center field.
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With a chance to tie the game, Harris waved Marisnick, the club's fastest baserunner, around third.
“I always err on the side of aggressiveness,” Ross said. “That was a really nice relay by [Luis] Guillorme.”
Guillorme, New York’s second baseman, caught center fielder Kevin Pillar's relay a few feet into outfield. In one quick motion, he turned and fired a one-hop strike to catcher James McCann to throw out Marisnick by a few feet.
New York closed out the win two batters later.
“I thought that was a good send,” Ross said. “It was a great play by Guillorme. He made a heck of a relay right there to McCann, one hop, and made it look a lot easier than I think it was.”
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In hindsight, holding Marisnick at third would have left two Cubs on base — one 90 feet away from tying the game — with only one out. At the same time, it took a perfect relay from the Mets to get the out.
“Mistakes are kind of hindsight,” Ross said. “If [Marisnick is] safe, you're not going to say it's a mistake.
“It was a nice play by them.”