In the minor leagues, a dizzying scene occurred where a pitcher was hit directly by a 171km batted ball. Fortunately, it did not lead to any major injuries.
Joey Lucchesi of the Syracuse Mets of the Triple A affiliate of the New York Mets started on the 31st (Korean time) in a minor league game against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (Triple A affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies) held at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. .메이저사이트
Lucchesi could have been seriously injured in the bottom of the 5th inning with the score trailing 3-4. He struck out leadoff hitter Weston Wilson before giving up Christian Pasche for an infield hit to shortstop. Pache succeeded in stealing second base. He faced Aramis Garcia with first out and second base. Garcia’s hit reached Lucchesi like a laser beam.
Lucchesi instinctively tried to hit the glove, but the ball hit was too fast. This line drive ball hit Lucchesi and was deflected toward third base. Third baseman Nick Mayer calmly handled the grounder and ran to the mound to check on Lucchesi’s condition.
Lucchesi didn’t even fall down. He knelt down on one knee and groped his chest, neck, and shoulders with his right hand, as if checking his body condition. As a result of checking on the slow screen, the ball hit just below his left collarbone. According to the official major league website, his exit velocity was a whopping 106.3 miles (about 171 km).
Lucchesi jumped up and completed her mission. He was responsible for 5 innings by disposing of Cody Clemens on a grounder to second base. Lucchesi finished the day with 4 runs in 5 innings.
After the game, Lucchesi explained why he was able to continue pitching, saying, “It happened so quickly. I was shocked, but I didn’t feel anything like the adrenaline rush.”
“When the game was over, Lucchesi was mostly normal except for a pink cut on his chest,” MLB.com explained.
Lucchesi went 6-5 with a 4.31 ERA in 16 minor league games this season. He was also called up to the major leagues and went up, leaving 2 wins, 11 runs in 28 innings, 2 wins, and an earned run average of 3.54 in 6 games.
Lucchesi wished, “I think my pitch has improved. Everything has improved. I want to be up there (in the big leagues).”