DENVER -- The baseball colloquialism is that the double play is a pitcher's best friend. The guy responsible for that double play is usually a very close second.
While the Pirates would end up coasting to a 14-3 win over the Rockies at Coors Field Monday, it could have been a very different story if the first inning would have gotten away from Rich Hill.
With the bases loaded and only one out, Elías Diaz had a chance to put the Rockies out in front early, but wound up chopping one to Ke'Bryan Hayes, who turned a smooth 5-3 double play:
That may not look like the most difficult play, but that throw across the diamond is one of the more challenging plays for a third baseman, and he made it look smooth.
The Pirates would go on to pile on six runs in the second inning, giving them a very solid lead, and Hayes ended the bottom half of the inning again with a fairly routine around the horn double play. By that point, the Pirates were in the driver's seat, and Hill was on pace to go six innings.
And while they haven't played together long, Hill already knows what Hayes brings defensively and was very complimentary postgame.
"He’s the best in the league, in my opinion," Hill said. "It’s a guy who’s on the cusp of winning a Gold Glove and going out there every single day and putting in the work and the effort. We see it in the clubhouse early when he’s out there, putting in that time and effort. We’re really fortunate to have him."
Hayes was a bit bashful when he heard that. It's not the first time a Pirate pitcher has sung his praises, and he said with a smile, "I’m just out there trying to make every play for our guys."
Hayes was graded as the best defensive third baseman by most metrics a year ago. So is this the year he finally overtakes Nolan Arenado for the Gold Glove? We'll have to see.