In the fourth inning of Thursday’s game against the Reds, Giants first baseman Wilmer Flores learned a lesson that’s sure to be retained by many throughout the league for years to come: Don’t run on Elly De La Cruz.
Cincinnati’s sensational rookie flashed his loud skills yet again with two outs in the inning. When center fielder Luis Matos doubled to left-center field, Flores attempted to score from first base. That, unsurprisingly, ended up being a poor decision, as De La Cruz uncorked a missile of a throw to easily nab Flores at the plate to end the inning and preserve a 2–0 Reds lead.
Statcast clocked the throw home at 99.8 miles per hour, making it the fastest infield assist on record. That broke the previous record of 97.8 mph—which was also set by De La Cruz on Sunday against the Brewers.
