Video: Joc Pederson Uses "Stolen Bat" From Old Teammate Rizzo To Win Game for Braves

 

The Atlanta Braves were probably ready to beg, borrow or steal for the one big hit they needed on Sunday in their tight NLDS Game 3 with the Milwaukee Brewers. And it was Joc Pederson who indeed used a borrowed, or, rather, "stolen" bat to blast the Braves out to a 2-1 series lead. 

It was Pederson's second pinch-hit homer of the series—both off Adrian Houser. The three-run bomb provided the only scoring of the game. And it came with a bat formerly belonging to his ex-Chicago Cubs teammate Anthony Rizzo. 

The Cubs continue to shine this postseason with Joc Pederson hitting a home run with Anthony Rizzo’s bat pic.twitter.com/BGbKFZTWsJ

— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) October 11, 2021

After the game, Pederson admitted he pilfered it from Rizzo. “I snagged one of his bats before I left... He’s got a lot of hits in it, so thanks, [Rizzo].” 

"I snagged one of his bats before I left."@yungjoc650 talks to @Kelly_Crull about using @ARizzo44's bat for yet another clutch Joctober home run in thee @Braves' NLDS Game 3 win.#BattleATL pic.twitter.com/O1ZMsYfbIg

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) October 11, 2021

Apparently, there were no hard feelings, as Rizzo texted him after the game.

Per @Stathead, Pederson joins a very select group of players who have hit two pinch-hit HR in the same postseason series: Bernie Carbo in 1975, and Chuck Essegian in 1959 (yeah, we've never heard of him either).

That's it. That's the list. 

And according to Sarah Langs, Pederson is also the first player ever to hit two pinch-hit homers off the same pitcher in postseason play. Even across multiple seasons. 

As to just how Pederson was able to reach that high fastball from Houser?

Joc Pederson on getting to that high Adrian Houser fastball and powering it out: "I'm a pretty good player, I don't know."

— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) October 11, 2021

Pederson wasn't exactly humbled, responding "I'm a pretty good player, I don't know."