Pirates’ Ke’Bryan Hayes Saves the Day with Key Tag Out in 2-1 Walk-Off Win Over Cardinals

Pirates catcher Joey Bart was unsure who collided with him or where the ball was during a critical moment in the game, but he knew he needed help. In the eighth inning of the April 9, 2025, game against the Cardinals, reliever Caleb Ferguson seemed to have retired Willson Contreras on a pop-up with two outs, near home plate. Bart, not hearing anyone call for the ball, assumed the play was his. However, as he tracked the ball, first baseman Endy Rodríguez ran into him, causing the ball to drop and remain in play.

At the time, Thomas Saggese, who was on second, had rounded third and was attempting to score. The play at the plate was incredibly close. "The only thing I remember is looking at the umpire and seeing him with a fist like an out and thinking, 'How was he out?'" Bart recalled.

With Bart and Rodríguez out of the play, third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes reacted quickly. He picked up the loose ball and tagged out Saggese, preserving the scoreless tie. Later, Bart hit a walk-off single in the 13th inning, securing a 2-1 victory.

"Ke’Bryan is a crazy smart player," Bart said. "He has the best internal clock I’ve ever seen, and he slows the game down better than anyone."

Hayes, aware that Saggese hadn’t passed him while tracking the pop-up, instinctively grabbed the ball and tagged Saggese out. "It’s definitely a play I’ve never had happen to me in my life, but I’m glad we were able to get out," Hayes explained.

Manager Derek Shelton praised Hayes, stating, "When he’s on the field and healthy, he’s the best defender in baseball."