Here was the situation Yankees first baseman Greg Bird — any pro player, actually — wanted. Bases loaded. Bottom of the ninth. Team down by two runs. The Rays, to counter Bird, plucked a lefty, Adam Kolarek, out of the bullpen. Dramatic drumroll, please.
Bird popped up the first pitch foul to third. It was a pitch to hit, he said.
“Yeah, it was on the plate, but a little in.