Angels Found Coolest Way to Throw Out Tigers Runner Attempting to Steal Second

In this story:
Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe and second baseman Luis Guillorme combined to make one of the coolest plays of the 2024 MLB season during the club's 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night at Angel Stadium.
O'Hoppe and Guillorme were pressed into action in the top of the ninth inning with one out and Tigers outfielder Riley Greene at first base. With a 1-2 count on the Detroit's Matt Vierling, Greene took off and attempted to steal second base on a seemingly perfect pitch to do so—a Carlos Estevez slider that darted to the left and forced O'Hoppe to backhand it.
But O'Hoppe was unperturbed, as he uncorked a bullet throw from his knees, one that sent Guillorme airborne just overhead a sliding Greene. As Guillorme sailed over the Tigers outfielder, he applied the tag, completing a stunning play.
Logan O'Hoppe and Luis Guillorme combine for a ridiculous caught stealing 👀 pic.twitter.com/wOfV88CLG3
— MLB (@MLB) June 30, 2024
It's hard to say what was more impressive, O'Hoppe's off-balance throw or the presence of mind from Guillorme to athletically leap for the ball and make the tag at the same time. Most importantly, the play snuffed out any Tigers' hopes of a rally in the ninth.
The Angels went on to win the game in the bottom of the 10th inning on a walk-off single from outfielder Kevin Pillar. But not before O'Hoppe and Guillorme provided a worthy candidate for web gem of the year.

Tim Capurso is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated, primarily covering MLB, college football and college basketball. Before joining SI in November 2023, Capurso worked at RotoBaller and ClutchPoints and is a graduate of Assumption University. When he's not working, he can be found at the gym, reading a book or enjoying a good hike. A resident of New York, Capurso openly wonders if the Giants will ever be a winning football team again.