Given the rise of analytics and emphasis on power hitting in today’s game, the bunt has basically been reduced to a relic of MLB’s past. But I must say that there aren’t many plays that top the excitement of a perfectly placed bunt in the most unexpected situation.
We saw just that on Monday.
The Mariners trailed the White Sox by four runs heading into the eighth inning. But once Erick Fedde allowed a lead-off home run to start the inning, the White Sox turned to Michael Kopech in hopes of stopping Seattle’s late rally.
Spoiler: He did not.
Kopech allowed three straight base runners and a two-run single. After a pair of strikeouts, he faced Luke Raley with runners on the corners and two outs. It was safe to say that nobody expected Raley to do this …
Luke Raley BUNTS with two outs to tie it in the eighth! Mariners have rallied to erase a 4-0 deficit pic.twitter.com/ZXuhXA1pdo
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 11, 2024
Raley laid down an absolutely perfect bunt on a 99 mph fastball (!!!) with third baseman Lenyn Sosa playing deep. Josh Rojas scored easily on the play to tie the game. Raley was so pumped at first base that you would’ve thought he won the pennant. But no, he knew the bunt was gutsy and the gamble paid off.
The Mariners would go on to win the game the following inning on a Cal Raleigh grand slam.
WALKOFF SLAM CAL RALEIGH pic.twitter.com/5QzAik4Xa9
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 11, 2024
Fans, though, loved that bunt from Raley and the call by Dave Sims. It was a throwback to small ball in the best way.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
This might be the greatest RBI Dave Sims has ever seen https://t.co/lTfmXmNW1f
— Ty Dane Gonzalez (@TyDaneGonzalez) June 11, 2024
May be my fave play of the Mariners season so far.
Crazy Raley was able to get this down with Kopech throwing that pitch in that location. Crazier Mariners actually called for the bunt there.@davesims_ with the great call
This is how the M’s sometimes need to
win. #finally https://t.co/kBJ5NuemuF— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) June 11, 2024
One of the greatest bunts you’ll see this year – I’m sure! On a fastball then the no-doubter grand slam from Raleigh! Absolutely madness the last 2 innings. #mariners #chaosball https://t.co/oiiRA2GLGl
— Emma (@edavies3) June 11, 2024
Bunting bottom 9 w 2 outs is insanity like who even https://t.co/0KvPbFQCcI
— Jerome Bond (@_amocaT) June 11, 2024
Up and in around his face at 99 mph and he still lays down a 🤌🤌🤌 bunt to tie the game in the 8th. They don’t make men like Luke Raley anymore. https://t.co/Wh75mRxaZd
— Jeremy Dorn (@jamblinman) June 11, 2024
Bunting on a 99 mph heater so hardcore https://t.co/L2A7HNPB2A
— Mark Harris (@Harris_Mark7) June 11, 2024
The Seattle Mariners really pulled the “If you can’t beat em, join em” card tonight and did exactly what the Royals did to them🤣 https://t.co/X49O6YSR0c
— EastCoastM’s🔱 (@EastCoastMs_) June 11, 2024
Play of the season so far IMHO.
The moment, the call, the execution.
Time for that Luke Raley jersey… https://t.co/RrAPMwT5Gk— Jake Whittenberg (@jwhittenbergK5) June 11, 2024
The hypest bunt call you’ll ever hear https://t.co/kjK8CK8Drv
— Michael Black (@mhblack) June 11, 2024
