D-backs’ Christian Walker outsmarts Pirates with cheeky double play

Jun 4, 2022, 2:01 PM | Updated: 5:35 pm

Arizona Sports

The ole’ 3-4-6-4 double play. Textbook baseball.

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker made a heads-up play in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Why only get one out when you can get two?

Just smart baseball from @CWALK328. pic.twitter.com/dzBVFJNrBg

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) June 4, 2022

With Pirates DH Michael Chavis on first in the bottom of the second inning of a scoreless ballgame, Pittsburgh shortstop Rodolfo Castro hit a high pop-up on the infield off D-backs starting pitcher Zach Davies.

Walker immediately called for it, forcing Chavis to retreat to first while the first baseman camped underneath the towering pop-up.

Castro, however, didn’t hustle down the first-base line, which allowed Walker to let the ball drop and toss it to D-backs second baseman Ketel Marte — who was covering first — to get Castro on a forceout for the first out of the double play.

And with Chavis now caught in between first and second as a result of Walker’s sharp thinking, a quick rundown that only required two throws — one from Arizona shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and another from Marte — the second baseman was able to tag Chavis to complete the 3-4-6-4 DP for those keeping score at home.

UP NEXT

The D-backs go for the series win over the Pirates on Sunday at 10:35 a.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Arizona RHP Zac Gallen (4-0, 2.32 ERA) is scheduled to start against Pittsburgh RHP Zach Thompson (2-4, 5.18 ERA).

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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo stands in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zach Davies delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras reacts after allowing a run to score on a wild pitch in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, left, scores from third on a wild pitch by Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras, right, during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras, center, waits for manager Derek Shelton to remove him from a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras collects himself after wild pitch that allowed a run to score during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Zach Davies #27 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 4, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski, center, is doused with ice by teammates as he is interviewed after hitting a two-run walk-off home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Mark Melancon during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. The Pirates won 2-1. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski (65) is greeted by teammates as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Mark Melancon during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. The Pirates won 2-1. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski (65) is greeted by teammates as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run walk-off home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Mark Melancon during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. The Pirates won 2-1. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski (65) is greeted by third base coach Mike Rabelo as he rounds third base after hitting a two-run walk-off home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Mark Melancon during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. The Pirates won 2-1. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski hits a two-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Mark Melancon during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. The Pirates won 2-1. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski (65) is greeted by first base coach Tarrik Brock as he rounds first after hitting a two-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Mark Melancon during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 4, 2022. The Pirates won 2-1. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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