Gene J. Puskar, The Associated Press
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Will Craig, right, tosses the ball to catcher Michael Perez, left, after Chicago Cubs’ Javier Baez (9) hit a fielder’s choice third to first and was caught in a rundown between home and first during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, May 27, 2021. Cub’s Willson Contreras, top center, scores on the play and Báez reached second on an errant throw by Pirates’ catcher Perez. 
Getting your player ready...
Javier Báez.
El Mago.
The Magician.— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs)
There’s bad defense and then there’s whatever it was the Pirates did out in the field on Thursday.
Cubs shortstop Javier Baez hit what should have been a routine grounder to Pittsburgh third baseman Erik Gonzalez. Gonzalez’s throw pulled first baseman Will Craig off the base. Baez would then run back toward home plate with Craig chasing.
Meanwhile, Chicago catcher Wilson Contreras, who opened the play on second base, sprinted home and snagged a run, beating Craig’s throw to catcher Michael Perez. Baez turned around and took off sprinting toward first base where he was declared safe after an errant throw. He then got up and ran safely to second.
