MJ Melendez made the impossible look possible.
On Wednesday, as the Royals trailed the Guardians, 3-2, Kansas City’s Kyle Isbel stepped in with runners on second and third and hit a hard grounder to first with the Cleveland infield drawn in.
Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor reacted quickly, sweeping up the ball and firing it at his younger brother, Bo, who was waiting at home plate.
And then it happened.
Kansas City Royals left fielder MJ Melendez (1) jumps over Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor (23) to score a run during the sixth inning at Progressive Field. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Menendez, who was on third and darted home on contact, shuffled left, hurled over the catcher, twisted his body and fell to the ground forcefully — and touched home plate.
But he was called out before a review saw that Melendez actually snuck in.
Following the Royals’ successful challenge of the play, the original out call was overturned, and the score was now three apiece — and the slide helped the Royals gain some momentum.
MJ Melendez #1 of the Kansas City Royals dives over catcher Bo Naylor #23 of the Cleveland Guardians to score during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on June 06, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty ImagesThe Royals, who lost the series opener Tuesday, seized the momentum from Melendez’s creative acrobatics and took the lead late as Isbel put them up for good with an RBI single in the eighth.
Kansas City moved to 37-26 with the win.
Melendez, who has been struggling with a .549 OPS this season, added a highlight to remember in what’s been a down year.
