Royals runner escapes rundown with incredible juke

NEW YORK -- There's got to be no worse feeling as a baserunner than realizing you've been picked off. But Royals outfielder Garrett Hampson showed you shouldn't give up hope, escaping a rundown during a 11-7 win over the Mets at Citi Field on Saturday with an amazing juke.

Hampson was caught between first and second after pitcher Sean Manaea's pick-off throw to first, but Pete Alonso's wide throw to Francisco Lindor at second base forced Lindor to turn his back to the runner. Hampson feinted to the right, forcing Lindor to commit to a spin toward right field, but Hampson was one step ahead, pivoting back to his left and avoiding Lindor's lunging tag attempt to reach second base safely.

“Manaea [threw over to first], so I was trying to cause a throw from Alonso,” Hampson said. “I looked back and the throw kind of took Lindor off the baseline a little bit. By that time, … Lindor came back into the baseline, I just tried to avoid a tag, honestly."

The Mets escaped the inning with no lasting damage, but Lindor's definitely going to be seeing that deke in his dreams.

As for Hampson, the 29-year-old outfielder ended up with two hits, two stolen bases and a run scored.