Watch: Batter's face helps catcher throw out runner
In the first inning of Thursday’s game against the Rangers, Royals catcher Salvador Perez threw out leadoff batter Delino DeShields on a pitch in the dirt.
It was officially scored as a 1-2-6 putout. But in reality, Rangers hitter Shin-Soo Choo should have been credited with an assist.
The bizarre play saw the pitch by Royals starter Danny Duffy bounce in the dirt in front of Perez, before going off his glove and right into the face of the unsuspecting Choo.
Face facts: you’re out. 😂 pic.twitter.com/MNq8N3w5AM
— MLB (@MLB) May 25, 2018
The ball ricocheted off Choo’s face and dropped right in front of Perez, who ripped off his mask, grabbed the ball and fired to shortstop Alcides Escobar to nail DeShields.
As seen in this play, the only thing worse than getting hit in the face is getting hit in the face and assisting the catcher in throwing out your teammate.
“Right in the nose. I saw the ball right in front of me, I saw DeShields running and I just tried to do my job,” Perez told MLB.com.
DeShields said when he saw the ball in the dirt, he immediately realized he should run. He thought he’d go in standing up.
“I knew (Duffy) was quick to the plate so I was looking for a ball in the dirt to advance. It was a slider and I saw it kick hard off the catcher. I put my head down and went. I wasn’t even expecting to slide. I knew it would be far away from him,” DeShields said.
“I look up and the shortstop is standing there catching the ball. I did my panic slide. I went back to the dugout confused. Then I saw it, the ball hitting him in the face,” he added.
Choo, meanwhile, was fine despite taking a ball to the face. He ended up with a base on balls on that at-bat.
“I saw the ball like right in front of me,” Perez said, according to The Associated Press. “I said, ‘Bro, I think you’re bleeding.'”
It’s not the first bizarre play involving Choo and a catcher.
Back in the 2015 ALCS against the Blue Jays, Toronto catcher Russell Martin hit Choo’s bat throwing the ball back to the pitcher, which allowed a runner to score.
The Royals went on to win 8-2 on Thursday, led by Perez, who went 2-for-4 with four runs batted in.
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