ALDS 2013: Wil Myers has ‘learning moment’ in Red Sox-Rays series

Myers had a gaffe in the outfield during the fourth inning of the Rays 12-2 loss to the Red Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS.

by Noah Jarosh

Oct 5, 2013, 4:43 PM UTC

Jason Miller

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Wil Myers made a mistake, and he knows he made a mistake. In the fourth inning of Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series between the Rays and Red Sox, the Tampa Bay outfielder sat under a deep fly ball before suddenly moving forward and letting the ball go over his head for a ground-rule double. That play helped set up a five-run inning as the Red Sox went on to win 12-2.

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Myers said he thought center fielder Desmond Jennings was calling him off, or that he saw Jennings out of the corner of his eye and thought he would make the catch. After the play, Red Sox fans in the outfield began mockingly chanting Myers' name.

“It was tough, you know? I have never had something like that before, but it’s one of those things where you’ve got to expect to hear it from this kind of crowd,” Myers told FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal on Friday.

Myers’ teammates had some words of advice for the youngster after the gaffe.

"It was a learning moment," third baseman Evan Longoria said. "We need him to have a clear mind and be able to continue playing the game and be focused. Everybody kind of made a point to go up to him and let him know that we all make mistakes, and that you’ve got to be able to turn the page, especially in a series like this one."

Added Longoria: “Tomorrow he’s going to hear it. If we come back here, they’re going to remember. These are good baseball fans. They understood the importance of that play and how it changed the course of the game. Hopefully he’s able to turn the page.”

Myers has struggled in his first taste of the playoffs. Through two playoff games, he has one infield-single on a slow dribbler and has struck out in four of his eight at-bats. He’ll get another chance to impress as the Rays and Red Sox play Game 2 Saturday evening.