Paul Goldschmidt’s latest victim, John Gant, knew it was over without looking
Aug 22, 2016, 10:33 PM | Updated: Aug 23, 2016, 12:34 pm
This is why he's #AmericasFirstBaseman.https://t.co/PsMUd8DwyD
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 23, 2016
Paul Goldschmidt is the guy the Diamondbacks want in such a situation.
The game was tied 8-8 after Arizona recovered from a 5-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the second inning and then lost an 8-7 lead in the top of the ninth. Good news for the D-backs: their first baseman was first up in the bottom of the ninth frame.
Goldschmidt took a first-pitch strike but found what he was looking for in reliever John Gant’s second offering. An 80-mph changeup high in the zone was ripped for a 430-foot home run, giving Arizona a 9-8, much-needed victory.
The missed location, opponent’s reputation and sound of the bat making contact with the pitch probably did the basic math for Gant, who didn’t even turn around to see where the Goldschmidt home run landed in the left field stands.
Atlanta Braves pitcher John Gant, left, walks off the field after giving up the game winning home run to Arizona Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt, right, during the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Braves 9-8. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
