Wells reaches new heights on defense

On a day when the Angels couldn't catch the ball, Vernon Wells made a perfectly timed and executed grab Thursday to take a 2-run homer from Chicago's Gordon Beckham.

Wells stepped on the padding at the bottom of the left-field wall, lifted himself up and reached over the top of the wall, securing a baseball heading for the bullpen.

The eighth-inning catch truly was something to see. Maybe that's why Wells saw it before it even happened.

"Sometimes, as an outfielder, you have a premonition," Wells said. "I've seen other guys do that here. That pad is the perfect height to step up on. In my mind, I've imagined making that catch. That's the first chance I've had to actually do it."

The Angels' defense otherwise was shaky, an assortment of flies and pops going uncaught in the afternoon sun of Angel Stadium. Said manager Mike Scioscia: "You can't give away five outs."

Wells, meanwhile, turned in a gem in a mostly forgettable 6-1 loss to the White Sox.

"It's always been part of my mindset to make sure the pitchers are happy," Wells said. "That's the best part of a play like that, saving the runs for your pitcher and your team. That's what defense is all about."

Though we don't have footage of Wells' catch, enjoy this spectacular video-game moment starring his glove.



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