Willy take the wheel

A late look back at Giants 7, Nationals 6 F/12

I’m still not over Willy Adames losing the race to second base.

It was the unforgettable moment of the weekend in D.C., in which the Giants completed a five-run comeback Saturday before losing quietly Sunday.

I thought Adames lost the game. You thought he lost the game. Watch the replay and look at Luis Arraez throw his head back in disbelief. You don’t think he thought they lost the game?

Adames turned an ordinary play into an extraordinary one. With the bases loaded and the game on the line, Adames tried to run a routine ground ball to second base. As he realized he was losing this race, he saved himself (and the game) by rocketing a throw to first base as he tumbled to the ground.

What do you see when you look at this?

An earthquake? Baseball in space? The Giants?

It felt like a moment only the Giants could orchestrate.

Late and close game against a team they should be handling. Ordinary ground ball to the franchise shortstop, who decides at the worst possible time that he doesn’t want to throw the baseball. Changes his mind only when 192 pounds are barreling into his legs. Inning over.

I don’t use these words lightly, but they are fit for the moment: Nothing Like It.

Up next: The Giants are off Monday before welcoming the Dodgers (and too many of their fans) to San Francisco. It’s (likely) going to be Yoshinobu Yamamoto against Landen Roupp on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. See you at the yard.

🎧 Podcast: Introducing the Tip Your Cast list (and Hall of Fame). Plus the best and worst of the week, stock reports, and what to do about all those Dodgers fans at Oracle Park.