Solid defensive execution and a timely double play off the bat of David Freese helped Dodgers righty Zack Greinke escape the seventh inning with no damage in Friday's NLCS opener with the Cardinals.
Yadier Molina opened the frame with a sharp single through the left side to put the pressure on Greinke in a 2-2 game. Jon Jay then attempted to drop down a sacrifice bunt, but Greinke was able to take the out at second base on a poorly executed bunt (with a slow-footed runner chugging for second).
David Freese then stepped to the plate with a runner on first and one away. Greinke appeared to strike him out on a well-located slider, but didn't get the call from home plate umpire Gerry Davis.
GIF courtesy of TBS
On the very next pitch, with the runner moving, Freese lifted a fly ball to shallow right field that Yasiel Puig charged. The 22-year-old made the catch in a full sprint and quickly fired the ball to first, narrowly nailing the runner Jay, who wasn't able to tag up in time.
Greinke has thrown 95 pitches through seven innings, allowing just two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out eight.
The game remains tied 2-2.
