Watch: Tigers outfielder pulls off epic deek after robbing home run ball

Detroit Tigers OF Matt Vierling Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Tigers outfielder pulls off epic deke after robbing home run ball

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/14/23

Detroit Tigers centerfielder Matt Vierling capped off a ridiculous home run-robbing catch in centerfield Friday against the Seattle Mariners with an epic deek to match.

In the bottom of the first inning, Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez grooved a pitch from Tigers starter Eduardo Rodriguez deep to the centerfield fence, where Vierling was waiting. Vierling leaped, catching the ball so casually that he duped nearly everyone at T-Mobile Park, including Tigers' play-by-play announcer, Matt Shepard.

"Vierling pulled it down! Even Rodriguez thought it was gone!" Shepard said via Bally Sports Detroit. "Vierling fooled just about everybody!"

MATT. VIERLING. ROBBERY. #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/rzZ26qye3u
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) July 15, 2023

After robbing the Mariners' young slugger, Vierling sealed the moment perfectly, flashing the Seattle fans in center a sly smile.

In his first season with Detroit, Vierling has proven to be more than suitable patrolling the outfield while also contributing at the plate.

A fifth-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillis in 2018, Vierling made his Major League debut in 2021. He played 117 games last season for the eventual National League champions. In January, the Tigers acquired Vierling, Nick Maton and Donny Sands from the Phillies in exchange for Kody Clemens and Gregory Soto.

Entering Friday's action, the 26-year-old had seven home runs and 24 RBI, slashing .280/.344./.419 in 69 games.

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