Colorado Rockies Left Fielder Jake McCarthy Completes Rare Unassisted Double Play
Introduction
During a Major League Baseball game on May 13, 2026, Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy performed a rare unassisted double play while playing left field against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Main Body
The play happened in the first inning when Bryan Reynolds hit a sinking line drive. McCarthy, who was playing in left field, caught the ball while running toward the infield, which secured the second out of the inning. At the same time, the Pittsburgh runner, Oneil Cruz, had left second base to try and reach third. Because the runner was so far away from the base, McCarthy decided not to throw the ball and instead ran to touch second base himself to complete the double play. From a statistical point of view, this event is very unusual. Data from the Elias Sports Bureau emphasized that this is the first time a left fielder has achieved an unassisted double play since Jonny Gomes did it on July 31, 2013. Furthermore, the Colorado Rockies' sports information department confirmed that this is the first time such a play has ever happened in the team's history. The game eventually ended with a 10-4 victory for the Colorado Rockies.
Conclusion
Jake McCarthy completed a historically rare defensive play, helping the Colorado Rockies secure a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Learning
⚡ The 'B2 Jump': Mastering Narrative Flow
At an A2 level, you describe things in simple steps: "He caught the ball. He ran to the base. He got the out." To reach B2, you must stop using 'choppy' sentences and start using Complex Connections.
The Secret Sauce: The 'While' and 'Because' Bridge
Look at this sentence from the text:
"McCarthy... caught the ball while running toward the infield..."
Instead of two separate actions, the writer blends them. This tells the reader that two things are happening at the exact same moment. This is a hallmark of B2 fluency.
⚙️ Level Up Your Logic
Compare these two ways of explaining the action:
| A2 Style (Basic) | B2 Style (Fluid) |
|---|---|
| The runner was far away. McCarthy touched the base. | Because the runner was so far away from the base, McCarthy decided to touch second base himself. |
Why this matters: By using Because at the start of the sentence, you aren't just giving a fact; you are explaining the reasoning behind a decision. B2 English is all about explaining why and how, not just what.
💡 Quick Guide for Transitioning:
- Stop: Using only and, then, and but.
- Start: Using while, since, due to, and furthermore to link your ideas into a professional flow.