Tag: Matt Vierling

Former Notre Dame player makes incredible line-drive catch in ALDS

Terrific play.

Whatever team MLB fans cheer for, they all can agree that this year’s playoffs have been incredible so far. We haven’t even reached the LCS yet. And Notre Dame fans can say one of their own has contributed to that greatness.

[autotag]Matt Vierling[/autotag] played three seasons for the Irish. Now in his fourth major-league season, he’s after a World Series ring. He had a chance at one with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022, but they came up only two wins short. The following season, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers, one of many hot teams right now.

In Game 3 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians, the Tigers had a 3-0 lead with two outs in the top of the seventh inning and runners on first and second. David Fry, who represented the tying run, hit a hard line drive to the left side of the field that was certain to go for extra bases and probably score both runners.

Vierling, who had driven in one of the Tigers’ runs via a sacrifice fly, was right there at third base though, and he timed his jump just enough that he took the hit away and got his team out of the inning.

The 3-0 score stood, and the Tigers are one win away from advancing to their first ALCS in 11 years. Hopefully, we see more from Vierling this postseason.

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Former Notre Dame outfielder Matt Vierling makes catch while mic’d up

This is what we call multitasking.

For better or worse, ESPN has made in-game on-field interviews a part of their broadcasts. At the very least, it’s made for some interesting TV. You never know when the player the broadcasters are talking to suddenly has to make a play.

Former Notre Dame outfielder [autotag]Matt Vierling[/autotag] found himself in this exact scenario while playing left field for the Detroit Tigers in the MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. As he was wearing his microphone, he suddenly had to chase down a fly ball hit by the New York Yankees’ Oswald Peraza:

This was a standout moment for Vierling on an evening that didn’t really feature them as he went 0 for 4 with one strikeout. Fortunately, it didn’t matter as the Tigers came from behind to beat the Yankees, 2-1, in 10 innings.

Vierling is slashing .253/.294/.432 for a .726 OPS. He already has career highs with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs with over a month left in the Tigers’ season.

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World Series to feature pair of Notre Dame baseball standouts

World Series hopes and predictions?

The 2022 World Series will feature the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies as the Fall Classic gets underway on Friday night.  It’s the Astros’ fourth trip in the last six years, having won it all in 2017 while the Phillies are making their first trip since 2009 when they fell to the Yankees.

The Astros will feature designated hitter [autotag]Trey Mancini[/autotag] who was dealt from the Orioles at this year’s trade deadline.  In 51 games with Houston this regular season, Mancini struggled to a .176 batting average, .622 OPS, and hit eight home runs.  He’s 0-12 with a walk and hit-by-pitch this postseason.

Phillies outfielder [autotag]Matt Vierling[/autotag] hit .260 this regular season with six homers.  He’s 2-10 this postseason with a double and RBI for the National League champions.

Mancini starred at Notre Dame from 2011-2013 while Vierling did so from 2016-18.  Whichever wins will become just the third former Notre Dame player to win a World Series crown since [autotag]Brad Lidge[/autotag] did so with the Phillies in 2008, as they’ll join[autotag] A.J. Pollock[/autotag] who did so with the Dodgers in 2020.

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Watch: Matt Vierling completes four-hit game with winning homer

Have yourself a game, young man.

[autotag]Matt Vierling[/autotag] felt the heartache last fall when his Philadelphia Phillies fell to the Houston Astros in the World Series. It turns out he didn’t have to wait long for revenge against the defending champions.

Trying to make his mark with the Detroit Tigers after being traded to them in the offseason, Vierling did just that by pounding out four hits in the opener of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. His first three hits went for singles, but his fourth, a two-run homer in the 11th inning, made the difference in the Tigers’ 7-6 victory:

If breaking out offensively after going hitless in his first seven at-bats wasn’t enough, his diving catch in the fifth with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth preserved a tie game. The Tigers needed to get in the win column for 2023, and Vierling made it happen almost singlehandedly.

It will be interesting to watch Vierling’s progress for a team not expected to do much this season. This is his second full season in the bigs, and he should get plenty of opportunities to prove himself.

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Trey Mancini plays first in Houston Astros’ World Series clincher

A great night for the former Irish slugger.

With Yuli Gurriel off the Houston Astros’ World Series roster because of an injury, Notre Dame alumnus [autotag]Trey Mancini[/autotag] was the next man up. He was the Astros’ starting first baseman in Game 6, and he played the whole game. That means he was on the field during the final out of the Astros’ 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, giving them their second championship in six years.

As a bonus for Mancini, he singled to lead off the third inning, giving him his only hit in 21 at-bats this postseason. He didn’t stay on the bases for long as he promptly was thrown out at second base on a fielder’s choice. Still, it’s unlikely he cares about that as much as the partying he’ll be doing for the next few days.

[autotag]Matt Vierling[/autotag] started for the Phillies in center field and recorded one walk in two plate appearances before being pulled for a pinch-hitter in the eighth. He finished the post season hitting 2 for 13.

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Trey Mancini is late substitute for Astros in Game 5 World Series win

Mancini shows more value with his glove than his bat.

Once again, Notre Dame alumni were absent from both starting lineups of a World Series contest. That changed in the eighth inning en route to a 3-2 Houston Astros win, giving them a 3-2 series lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. With two outs, [autotag]Trey Mancini[/autotag] was called on to pinch-hit for Yuli Gurriel, but he struck out to end the inning, bringing him to 0 for 18 in the postseason. However, he stayed in the game to take over at first base.

Mancini was much more productive with his glove. He fielded Kyle Schwarber’s ground ball and recorded the unassisted third out in the bottom of the eighth, snuffing out a Phillies rally that had produced one run. Then, he got the final putout of the ninth and the game when Nick Castellanos grounded out to shortstop Jeremy Pena.

[autotag]Matt Vierling[/autotag] did not appear for the Phillies at all. He has not played since he appeared as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning of Game 3, when Mancini flied out to him.

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Notre Dame alumni sidelined for World Series no-hitter

Big game, but no former Irish played in it.

Game 4 of the 2022 World Series will be remembered forever. After getting six no-hit innings from starting pitcher Cristian Javier, the Houston Astros used three relievers to complete the first combined no-hitter in World Series history and the Fall Classic’s first no-hitter in any form since Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956. The 5-0 win tied the series at two wins apiece.

Just like Game 3, neither the Astros’ [autotag]Trey Mancini[/autotag], nor the Phillies’ [autotag]Matt Vierling[/autotag] were penciled into their respective teams’ starting lineup. This time, there would be no late-inning substitutions. Both of them rode the pine for the entirety of this historic game. So while there was Notre Dame representation in both dugouts, you won’t see it in the box score.

The good news for Mancini and Vierling is that the Astros’ victory means a Game 6 is guaranteed. The bad news is it’s hard to see either of them suddenly playing a major role in the series’ outcome. Then again, we’ve seen crazier things in baseball.

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Trey Mancini flies out to Matt Vierling in ninth inning of Game 3

If you blinked, you missed it.

For eight innings of the Philadelphia Phillies’ 7-0 Game 3 win over the Houston Astros, Notre Dame alumni were nowhere to be seen. Neither the Astros’ [autotag]Trey Mancini[/autotag], nor the Phillies’ [autotag]Matt Vierling[/autotag] were in their respective teams’ starting lineup. The idea that the two would intersect at all during this year’s World Series seemed to be fading. Then, it all changed.

With the game pretty much decided, Vierling entered right field as a defensive substitute in the ninth inning. Then, with one out, Mancini was called upon as a pinch hitter. That’s when the moment Irish fans were waiting for happened. On a 3-1 count, Mancini hit a fly ball to right, and Vierling was there to catch it.

No, it wasn’t a very exciting play, and it’s unlikely anyone will remember it. What people care about more is that Vierling is two wins away from a World Series title, and Mancini is 0 for 17 so far in his first postseason. Still, for one brief moment on baseball’s biggest stage, the Irish alumni came together.

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Notre Dame representation silent again in Game 2 of World Series

Still nothing to see here.

Game 2 of the World Series featured a slightly different script from Game 1. The Houston Astros scored three runs in the first inning, and this time, that was all the runs they needed to beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-2. The series now is tied at a victory apiece as it heads to the City of Brotherly Love for the next three games.

One thing that didn’t change from Game 1? No impact from the two former Notre Dame players. One night after being lifted for a pinch hitter, [autotag]Trey Mancini[/autotag] did not appear for the Astros. [autotag]Chris Vierling[/autotag] started in center field for the Phillies but went 0 for 2 and left two men on base before being pinch-hit for in the seventh inning.

Irish fans should be lucky at least one more game will be played as it provides more potential opportunities for Mancini and Vierling to contribute. Whether they actually will contribute remains to be seen and also depends on their respective managers’ faith in them.

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Notre Dame alumni don’t factor into Game 1 of World Series

Nothing to see if you’re a Notre Dame fan.

The 2022 World Series got off to a thrilling start Friday. The Philadelphia Phillies overcame a five-run deficit to steal Game 1 from the host Houston Astros, 6-5, after J.T. Realmuto led off the 10th inning with the game-winning home run. Suddenly, a team that everyone wrote off at the start of the postseason is looking very formidable.

As exciting as the game was, Notre Dame’s two alumni didn’t have any impact on it. [autotag]Matt Vierling[/autotag] was not in the Phillies’ lineup. [autotag]Trey Mancini[/autotag] started as the designated hitter, which has been his usual spot in these playoffs, but he went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts and left a team-high three men on base. When the Astros had two runners on with two outs in the bottom of the 10th of a one-run game, Dusty Baker pinch-hit Aledmys Diaz for Mancini, only for Diaz to ground out to third to end the game.

Here’s hoping the former Irish hitters are able to do more going forward in the series.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

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