Angels remind outfielder Shane Victorino to play through on game-winning hit

In the wake of the Angels’ 5-4 walk-off win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night was a teachable moment for veteran outfielder Shane Victorino, whose baserunning miscue almost cost David Murphy a game-winning hit but would not have cost the Angels the winning run.

The bases were loaded with no outs in the ninth inning when Murphy stroked a run-scoring single to left field. Victorino, who was on first base, stopped half way to second, threw both arms into the air and joined the Angels in the middle of the infield for the celebration. He never touched second base.

Had the A’s appealed—they didn’t—Victorino would have been out at second and Murphy would have been credited with a fielder’s choice, but the winning run still would have scored.

“We talked to Victorino,” bench coach Dino Ebel said. “He knew the game was over, but he also knew that if they did appeal, he would have felt bad that they took a hit away from his teammate. That’s all. With no outs, the rule says if you appeal at second, it’s an out, but the run scores, and the game is over.”

Ebel had a simple reminder for Victorino.

“Right away we told him, touch the base,” Ebel said. “That’s all we told him. Play the hit out, then celebrate. He knew, said he made a mistake.”