Watch: MLB teammates have nasty collision, still come away with brilliant catch

By Ross Kelly June 10, 2018 at 11:02am

Due to its dimensions and architecture, Tropicana Field in Tampa has always been a difficult ballpark for fielders.

Everyone knows about the catwalks in the Rays’ home stadium, as they can be struck by batted balls in both fair and foul territory.

But Tropicana Field is also one of the few stadiums in the country that still has its bullpens along the first and third-base lines. Any balls hit into those areas are still in play.

Carlos Gomez and Jake Bauers of the Rays found that out on Saturday during a game against the Mariners, as the two fielders crashed into each other in the middle of the Rays’ bullpen.

Fortunately, the pitchers and catchers had cleared out, but the two players didn’t see each other, resulting in an awkward collision.

https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1005604402210762753

https://twitter.com/JakeBauers11/status/1005607951988658176

The right fielder Gomez was somehow able to hold on despite Bauers being all up in his business. Both players emerged from the collision OK, but Rays manager Kevin Cash said both were a little shaken up afterward.

.@RaysBaseball manager Kevin Cash on LHP Blake Snell's progression as a pitcher and the great at-bats tonight from the team. Also talks about how fortunate it was that Bauers and Ramos didn't get injured during their collision. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/S3wlEANWxb

— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) June 9, 2018

Were you impressed that Gomez was able to make this catch?

“It was very scary. From our angle in the dugout, you lose them. But you saw them both dive and they just kind of laid there by the time our trainers got out there,” Cash said.

“They were both really fortunate to be OK. Jake has a little banged-up ribs and Carlos a shin, but what a tremendous play to make the catch.”

The play was Gomez’ to make the whole way. Since he was coming in, he was able to see the flight of the ball and what was in front of him. Bauers, the first baseman, would have had a much more difficult catch while looking over his shoulder and not being able to see what was in front of him.

There’s also the fact that Gomez is a Gold Glove-winning outfielder while Bauers made his MLB debut Thursday.

But it wasn’t all bad for the rookie, as he picked up his first two major league hits.

Bauers started the year with the Triple-A Durham Bulls and was ranked as the No. 45 overall prospect in the minors by Baseball America.

As for Gomez, he needs to keep making plays like this just to stick in the lineup. His glove is likely what’s keeping him in the majors, as he’s been a major disappointment at the plate.

Gomez is hitting just .186 on the season, though he does have seven home runs.

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