Giants' Matt Chapman makes costly baserunning blunder in loss to Mets

Veteran third baseman's ill-advised steal attempt ends San Francisco's comeback bid in the 9th inning.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:30am by Ben Kaplan

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In the bottom of the ninth inning with the Giants trailing the Mets by three runs, San Francisco's Matt Chapman got on base to lead off the frame. However, the veteran third baseman made a questionable decision to attempt a steal of second base, getting thrown out for the first out of the inning and effectively ending the Giants' comeback hopes.

Why it matters

Baserunning mistakes can be especially costly in close, late-inning situations where every out matters. Chapman's blunder short-circuited a potential Giants rally and dealt a blow to their chances of mounting a comeback against the Mets' closer.

The details

With the Giants down 3-0 in the bottom of the 9th, Chapman reached base to lead off the inning. However, instead of letting the heart of the order try to drive him in, Chapman decided to attempt a steal of second base. He was promptly thrown out by Mets closer Devin Williams, recording the first out of the frame and stifling San Francisco's comeback bid.

  • The incident occurred in the bottom of the 9th inning on April 6, 2026.

The players

Matt Chapman

A veteran third baseman for the San Francisco Giants.

Devin Williams

The closer for the New York Mets.

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The takeaway

This play highlights the importance of smart, situational baserunning, especially in high-leverage late-game scenarios. Chapman's ill-advised steal attempt short-circuited a potential Giants comeback and served as a costly mistake that could haunt the team.