Lonnie Baseball saves defensive runs, Indians in 7-5 win over Tigers

Lonnie “Baseball” Chisenhall had himself a game during the Cleveland Indians 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. With the win, the Indians moved to 69-70 and within four games of the Texas Rangers for the final AL Wild Card position. Michael Brantley was dubbed the game’s hero by many for his two home runs; including the go-ahead two-run shot in the eighth inning, but Chisenhall was no slouch. Not only did Chisenhall single, steal a base, and rob Victor Martinez of a double with a great running catch, but Lonnie Baseball collected three outfield assists.

Is obtaining three outfield assists a rare event? Oh, I’d say so.

Lonnie Chisenhall is first big leaguer w/ 3 OF assists in a game since May 2007. He's the first Tribe OF to do it since Rick Manning in 1981

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) September 11, 2015

In the second inning, Lonnie makes the relay throw in to get Anthony Gose stuck in a pickle between first and second base. Then, he comes into the infield to apply the tag on Gose before making the throw home to also get Andrew Romine attempting to be greedy. Romine was initially called safe, but replay showed that no man can out-run the cannon attached to Lonnie Baseball’s shoulder. The non-traditional double play garnered Lonnie Chisenhall two outfield assists for his efforts.

Chisenhall running full speed into the wall to rob Victor Martinez in the top of the fourth was so impressive that MLB Statcast decided to break it down. His first step was within 0.34 seconds of the hit, he reached a maximum speed of 17.3mph, he covered 66.6 feet (uh, can we round up? I don’t like that number), and he had a route efficiency of 95.5%. Not too shabby for a guy with just over a month under his belt as an outfielder.

You would think that Anthony Gose would have learned his lesson earlier. But, in the seventh inning, Ian Kinsler singled to Lonnie Baseball and Gose decided to test his arm. Once again, after initially being ruled safe, Chisenhall threw a strike to home to nab the lead runner and replay proved out his arm.

It was the most dominant performance I can remember defensively from an outfielder, and I grew up watching Kenny Lofton roam center field. I am not alone in that assertion either as Lonnie Baseball moved into the top 10 of all MLB outfielders in DRS with his big night (third among right fielders).

Chisenhall began last night with +7 defensive runs saved in right, and finished with +11. I have never observed such a one-game difference.

— Kevin Dean (@kvnbsbl) September 11, 2015