Schumaker dekes Choo into out at second

Schumaker dekes Choo into out at second

Schumaker dekes Choo into out at second

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers infielders Skip Schumaker and Hanley Ramirez could have a future in Hollywood after showing off their acting talents in Thursday's game against the Reds.

With the Dodgers trailing, 4-1, and one out in the top of the eighth, Reds outfielder Shin-Soo Choo attempted to steal second base with slugger Joey Votto at the plate. Votto lined a shot up the middle to center fielder Andre Ethier and Choo slid into second as Ramirez faked like he was fielding a throw. Schumaker also ran over to the bag, making emphatic hand gestures and yelling. Choo got up and ran back toward first, then turned around when he realized the ball had dropped for a hit and was tagged out by Ramirez.

"If you cause enough chaos at second base, usually the runner thinks something is going on," Schumaker said. "They don't know what the [heck] is going on. I think that's what happened. He slid and didn't know where the ball was."

What else goes into a play like that?

"You just watch the runner as he steals and you see if he looks in or not. That usually tells the infielder if it's a hit-and-run situation, or if it's a straight steal," Schumaker said. "Last night, I kind of had a feeling with Votto up that it wasn't going to be a hit and run."

While Ramirez recorded the out, Schumaker orchestrated the performance.

"He was just laughing more than anything," Schumaker said of Ramirez. "He didn't really know what was going on. He was just covering the bag."

Thursday wasn't the first time the Dodgers deked a runner attempting to steal second. Schumaker and Nick Punto also pulled off the feat during a series against the Braves.

"It happens all the time, but people don't fall for it too much," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

Schumaker said he fell for the trick once in the Minor Leagues, so he can sympathize with Choo.

"I've been there before, where I panic," Schumaker said. "I've been on the other side of it and it's not a fun feeling to have. "
