Bobby Witt Jr. completely fooled a base runner to save a run after wild throw

It's not unusual to see infielders attempt to fool a base runner over the course of a game. But few have ever been as successful at it as Bobby Witt Jr. was on Saturday.

He literally saved a run with his heads-up gamesmanship.

With the Royals already trailing the Cardinals by two runs in the eighth inning, an Alec Burleson single to left added to the lead. But the hit would have tacked on two runs if not for Witt.

In an attempt to catch Ivan Herrera advancing to third, Royals catcher Elias Diaz fielded the throw home up the line and fired a wild attempt to third that went into left field. Witt, though, acted like he caught the ball and applied a "tag" to Herrera.

Bobby Witt Jr. deked Ivan Herrera to save a run pic.twitter.com/A0B3fQjsVH— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 16, 2026

That's just a smart play from Witt. He noticed that the sliding Herrera didn't pick up the ball. And by the time Herrera took notice to his third base coach and Masyn Winn shouting at him, Herrera was stuck at third.

Herrera ended up getting stranded at third. But the Cardinals had enough insurance runs to hold off the Royals, 4-2.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Bobby Witt Jr. completely fooled Ivan Herrera to save run after wild throw