Fernando Tatis Jr.'s idiotic baserunning gaffe injures Yankees' Anthony Rizzo

San Diego Padres v New York Yankees
San Diego Padres v New York Yankees | Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/GettyImages

No better time to screw around on the bases when your team is down by five runs and looking to inflict some damage on the opposing team's ace. From dancing in the outfield and taunting New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs fans, to over-exaggerating pitches being thrown up and in, Fernando Tatis Jr. hit the trifecta on Sunday after being picked off at first base by catcher Kyle Higashioka.

The Yankees got out of the inning with the strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play, but Anthony Rizzo was injured as Tatis attempted to get back to first base before the throw got him.

Not only was Tatis not even close, but his lumbering attempt to return safely knocked Rizzo to the ground and the first baseman left the game in the top of the sixth with an undisclosed injury (it was later determined to be a neck issue, but he's apparently good to play on Monday).

The collision wasn't necessarily anybody's fault. Tatis did nothing intentional and Rizzo simply made an attempt to tag him out. But had Tatis possessed any grace with baseball fundamentals, this probably would've been avoidable. There was no reason for him to be sauntering that far from the bag with his team down five and looking to rally. And no slide attempt? It's how you get under the tag!

It was so clumsy that Rizzo actually gave the Padres slugger a light shove as he fell to the ground.

Yankees' Anthony Rizzo leaves game with injury after collision with Fernando Tatis Jr.

As a result of Rizzo's injury, the Yankees had to shift things around, moving DJ LeMahieu to first base, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to third base, and putting Greg Allen in the game to take over in left field.

And then, of course, Gerrit Cole made it a game in the top half of the seventh when he surrendered a two-run homer to former Yankee Rougned Odor. He walked Matt Carpenter the batter prior and then allowed a single to Ha-Seong Kim after the home run before being removed from the game.

Time to crap our pants with Jimmy Cordero and Ron Marinaccio in relief, just how we drew it up leading by five runs with Cole cruising entering the sixth! It was a close one, but they got out of the jam and Clay Holmes shut the door.

At the very least, Rizzo was able to walk off the field on his own and is expected to play in the upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees are hoping that this isn't a lingering issue, however, especially considering Rizzo has recurring back injuries that force him to miss time annually.

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