WATCH: 'El Mago' strikes again as Javier Baez goes from first to home on steal

Javier "El Mago" Baez scurried from first base to home plate on a steal attempt that was aided by a throwing error.

by Cole Little - Senior Writer - Tue Sep 15 23:17:45 GMT-04:00 2020

CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez is nothing short of a magician on the basepaths, and "El Mago" pulled off a magical baserunning play against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. Baez provided the Cubs with an insurance run, putting his team up 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth.

At the start of the half-inning, Sandy Leon replaced Roberto Perez at catcher for the Indians, and that hurt Cleveland, as Leon committed a throwing error on a steal attempt by Baez. Perez is known as being arguably the best backstop in the league in terms of gunning down base stealers, making Leon's glaring throwing error uncharacteristic of what would have likely happened with Perez behind the plate.

Leon's throw carried into center field, and Baez, who initially reached base due to a hit by pitch, rounded second and headed for third. Third base coach Will Venable took a risk that paid off by sending "Javy" to the plate. A throw to Leon was off the mark, and Baez scored without facing the threat of being tagged out, completing another memorable "El Mago" moment.