\u201cWell, now I believe that pitchers are athletes, Dave.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giants pitcher Tyler Mahle made San Francisco color analyst Hunter Pence a believer with a tremendous defensive effort in the bottom of the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
With a 1-2 count and a runner on first base, Mahle sent a pitch to Bryce Harper, who sent a chopper to the middle infield.<\/p>\n
Matt Chapman rushed in for a 5-3 putout, and after the Giants got Harper at first base, Mahle went to cover third base.<\/p>\n
Rafael Devers delivered a strike to the Giants pitcher, who then spun his body and tagged Trea Turner before he could tag third as the Giants got the 5-3-1 unconventional double play.<\/p>\n
Devers fist pumped in the air, and the Giants’ defense celebrated as they jogged off the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was a heck of a play from Mahle,” said Pence, who played for both the Phillies and Giants during his 14-year career.<\/p>\n
The play kept the Phillies from potentially having a runner at third base with Adolis Garcia due next in the order and kept the score 0-0 through one.<\/p>\n