Jake McCarthy Makes a Rare Play

May 14, 2026, 01:40
USSports

Introduction

On May 13, 2026, Jake McCarthy played for the Colorado Rockies. He did something very rare in a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Main Body

Bryan Reynolds hit the ball. McCarthy caught the ball in the air. This was the second out of the inning. Oneil Cruz was a runner. He was far from second base. McCarthy did not throw the ball. He ran and touched second base himself. This was the third out. This play is very rare. A left fielder did not do this since 2013. It is the first time in the history of the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies won the game 10-4.

Conclusion

Jake McCarthy made a special play. His team won the game.

Learning

The "Past Action" Pattern

Look at how we talk about what happened in the game. We take a basic action word and add -ed to show it is finished.

The Pattern:

  • Play →\rightarrow Played
  • Touch →\rightarrow Touched

The Exception: Some words change completely. They don't use -ed. These are common in A2 English:

  • Do →\rightarrow Did
  • Run →\rightarrow Ran
  • Win →\rightarrow Won

Quick Guide for A2 Learners: If you want to tell a story about yesterday, check if your word is "regular" (add -ed) or "special" (change the word entirely).

Vocabulary Learning

play
to do an activity for enjoyment
Example:We will play soccer after school.
rare
not common or usual
Example:It is a rare bird that only lives in the mountains.
ball
a round object used in many sports
Example:The ball bounced off the wall.
caught
to catch something that is moving
Example:She caught the ball before it hit the ground.
air
the invisible mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth
Example:The airplane flies high in the air.
second
the number 2 or the position after the first
Example:She finished in second place in the race.
inning
a division of a baseball game where each team has a chance to bat
Example:The game was tied after the ninth inning.
runner
a person who runs or is running
Example:The runner sprinted to the finish line.
base
a point on the baseball field that a player must reach
Example:He reached first base safely.
throw
to send something by force through the air
Example:He will throw the ball to his teammate.
touched
to make contact with something
Example:She touched the painting to feel its texture.
third
the number 3 or the position after the second
Example:He finished in third place in the contest.
left
the side opposite to the right
Example:Turn left at the next intersection.
fielder
a player who stands in the field to catch or throw the ball
Example:The fielder caught the fly ball.
history
the record of past events
Example:She studied the history of the city.
game
an activity with rules, usually for enjoyment
Example:They played a board game after dinner.
won
to be successful or victorious in a competition
Example:The team won the championship.
special
different from ordinary or usual
Example:She received a special gift for her birthday.
team
a group of people working together
Example:The team practiced every day.