Larkin on Elly caught stealing in 6th grade: 'It's simply unacceptable'

The Cincinnati Reds appeared to have a promising opportunity to cut a two-run deficit in the bottom of the 6th inning Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Trailing 3-1, Elly De La Cruz led off with a walk and stole second.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Slade Cecconi threw to third base when De La Cruz got a huge lead on second and started running toward third. De La Cruz was caught in a pickle and eliminated.

“It’s just unacceptable,” National Baseball Hall of Famer and Bally Sports Ohio analyst Barry Larkin said on the broadcast. “It is what it is. It can’t happen. And I know the word is yes, we want to be aggressive. But you’re in scoring position, the middle of your lineup is coming. You don’t have need to steal this base here” And that’s something I hope he learns from making this mistake on the spot. “

“You get a first step,” Larkin continued. “Then you get a stolen base. Then you get caught stealing. And patience and maturity is understanding that once you get that first steal, you’ve done your job. You’re in scoring position. And now you let the offense that’s been down, give them a chance to knock you out.