Noelvi Marte is an infielder. Well, at least before this season, that was true.
But on Thursday afternoon, the Cincinnati Reds were sure glad he was in right field.
The Reds were clinging to a 2-1 lead with one out in the ninth inning, and Pirates star Bryan Reynolds launched a towering fly ball deep to right.
Marte had a chance to size it up at the wall, and he leaped full extension.
And he brought it back.
Home run robbery.
A giant smile on Marte's face.
A look of disbelief on closer Emilio Pagan's face.
And one out later, a massive win for the Reds.
It’s not even October yet and it feels like playoff baseball. Noelvi Marte — a third baseman until the middle of this season — with a game-saving home run robbery and the Reds get back to within a half-game of the Mets. pic.twitter.com/ASQniH4WYU
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 25, 2025
They're now a half-game behind the New York Mets in the NL Wild Card race, with the Mets still to play later Thursday. The Reds hold the tiebreaker. If New York loses, the Reds will control their destiny with three games left to play.
Before this season, Marte had only played second base, third base and a bit of shortstop in MLB for Cincinnati. Those were the only three positions Marte has played in the minors, too.
But the Reds got Marte some work in the outfield in the middle of the season so that on July 20, they could give him his first right field start.
And now, Marte is the hero.
It doesn't get better than that.
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