The catcher made a quick pickoff to second base, catching the runner off guard.

pickoff 是由动词 pick（挑选、摘取）和副词 off（离开）组成的复合词，在棒球术语中特指"牵制球"动作，即投手或捕手突然向垒位传球以试图触杀离垒过远的跑垒员。