Backyard baseball at its best

Giants 8, Mets 7

There is no greater stage in baseball than the bottom of the ninth inning, bases loaded, two outs. 3-2 count. One-run game.

It's the backdrop of every scene in the history of backyard baseball.

Maybe you crank a whiffle ball over the fence and into your neighbor's yard. Or you sling a fastball past someone's bat for strike three. No matter the outcome, greatness is guaranteed.

Hardly does it ever come from the third baseman on that stage, but it did Friday. Matt Chapman made what he called the best play of his career—and why wouldn't you?

When you're playing backyard baseball, would you do anything less in that moment?

Up next: It’ll be Jordan Hicks (4-1, 2.38 ERA) and Luis Severino (2-2, 3.48 ERA) squaring off at 10:40 a.m. The Giants will try to avoid falling behind four runs, but it seems to be the only way they know how to win right now.