Javy Báez owns up to baserunning lapse vs. Mets originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Prior to Thursday’s series finale with Atlanta, Cubs shortstop Javy Báez owned up to last week’s baserunning lapse against the Mets.
In his first Zoom conference since the moment, Báez admitted he let his frustration get to him.
“I know I was wrong for not running out the ball, being frustrated,” Báez said Thursday.
In the bottom of the seventh inning of a 3-3 game last Thursday, Báez hit a shallow pop fly to right-center field. He waited a moment before running to first base, and the ball dropped between Mets outfielders Kevin Pillar and Michael Conforto for a hit.
Báez took a wide turn around first base and the Mets threw behind him for an out. He was ruled safe after replay review.
“I had two strikeouts in the game, but there's no one better than me that knows how Chicago is with the wind, the sky and losing the ball,” he said.
“I was really frustrated and that was one of the things that I usually don't do, take my at-bats to the field.”
Báez and Cubs manager David Ross talked about the lapse after that game, and the shortstop expressed appreciation for that conversation.
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“What’s good here is that no matter who you are, people are going to tell you how it is,” Báez said.
“We turned the page, but we learn from it,” he added. “Hopefully it doesn't happen again.”