The Boston Red Sox had Game 3 of the World Series in their grasp and Ian Kinsler threw it away.
After the Red Sox lost the longest postseason game in major-league history on Friday, Kinsler took full responsibility for helping breathe life into the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the contest in the 18th inning thanks to a walk-off home run from Max Muncy.
"There’s nothing they can say in that room to make me feel better," Kinsler said after Boston’s 3-2 loss, according to Nicole Yang of Boston.com. "I feel like I let the team down right there."
Kinsler's reason for being upset came courtesy of an error he made in the 13th inning. With his team ahead 2-1 with two outs, he had an opportunity to end the game after fielding Yasiel Puig's grounder up the middle. Kinsler rushed the play and threw the ball wide, allowing Muncy to score the game-tying run.
CAN'T PREDICT BASEBALL. pic.twitter.com/DlbW3xQipu
— MLB (@MLB) October 27, 2018
"I just had the last out in my glove and couldn’t get it over there," the Gold Glove finalist explained.
During his post-game comments, Kinsler offered an apology to teammate Nathan Eovaldi. Eovaldi wound up taking the loss in Game 3 despite throwing six solid innings of relief for the Red Sox.
"He owned up to it," Eovaldi said. "He apologized to me, and I told him he had nothing to apologize for. We’re a team. I know you got my back, and I’ve got his, and it’s a team effort. It’s not just one guy."
It was a rough night for the 36-year-old Kinsler. After entering the game as a pinch runner in the 10th inning and before his throwing error happened, he was nearly picked off at first, was almost called out after over-running the bag at third, and was gunned down at home plate by Cody Bellinger.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)
