Mike Yastrzemski celebrates with Kris Bryant after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park
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A team hoping for a successful season requires two important things: talent and a bit of luck. The San Francisco Giants trading for Cubs star Kris Bryant is an example of the talent part, while the fielding error that led to him hitting a walk-off to end Tuesday’s game against the Diamondbacks was the luck.
Bryant showed off his personal fielding talents during the game — which, in another combo of talent and luck, required two separate rallies — in the top of the fourth with a backhand grab on a ball down the third base line and an incredible heave to first to get the Arizona runner out.
The Giants were then forced to recover from blowing a five-run, and then later a two-run, deficit. That resulted in a tied game in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, Bryant at the plate and runners on second and third. The ex-Chicago man swung on the first pitch, and then the luck came in.
Adjusting to a new team after spending one’s entire career with another franchise isn’t easy, no matter how good that player is. But if Bryant can keep putting together performances like he did against the Diamondbacks every now and then, he’ll feel right at home in no time.
