Pirates' Bryan Reynolds steals home run with highlight-reel catch

Bryan Reynolds is quickly becoming the top bright spot of the Pittsburgh Pirates season.

On Monday night, Reynolds made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Mike Moustakas of a sure home run in the second inning, stealing the ball from a fan about to catch a souvenir in his hat.

oh wow.#ROYnolds pic.twitter.com/iWOfQeCY6b

— Pirates (@Pirates) August 5, 2019

Reynolds downplayed his achievement after the game.

“I just kind of ran back there, jumped and got it,” Reynolds said.

The pitcher who benefitted from the catch, starter Dario Agrazal, was more effusive.

“It was great, an amazing catch,” Agrazal said through an interpreter. “Those are moments that, they help me as a pitcher, being able to just get a breath, just relax and get back to my zone, give me a little bit of hope to continue. Amazing ballplayer and an amazing catch.”

Reynolds said he noticed the fan he took the home run ball was pretty excited about the whole turn of events.

“He was fired up,” Reynolds said. “I tossed him a ball later, so they got one.”

Reynolds also went 3 for 5 in the game, hitting a solo home run in the fourth and doubling and scoring in the ninth. He’s hitting .337, which will put him in contention for a batting title as soon as he amasses enough at-bats to qualify for such an honor. He should qualify by Tuesday night.

“Just another sign of him developing and growing, getting to the wall and making a play,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We’ve seen the bat continuing to show up. It showed up tonight. Both sides of the plate.”