Watch: Blue Jays' 3B Matt Chapman makes slick sliding backhanded grab to complete double-play against Red Sox
Battling for a playoff spot in the crowded American League wildcard race, every play counts for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman made a potentially game-altering play Wednesday night at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Red Sox led 2-1 with a man on and one out. Boston's Rafael Devers hit a screamer off Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios which seemed destined for a base hit. However, shifted toward shortstop, Chapman made a sliding grab before a backhanded toss to second to start an inning-ending double play.
Chapman won his third gold glove in 2021, finishing with a .987 fielding percentage and ten runs saved.
The Blue Jays acquired Chapman ahead of the regular season in a trade with the Oakland A's.
The 29-year-old has 24 home runs and 62 RBI while batting .233/.312/.462 in 116 games.
Chapman and the Blue Jays are 67-55 on the year and are neck-and-neck with AL East foe the Tampa Bay Rays for the top wildcard spot. Entering Wednesday's action, the Rays held a 1.0 game advantage over the Blue Jays, with the Seattle Mariners holding the third spot, two games behind the pace.
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