Catcher rips hand open on hitters bat, a breakdown

Jan 18, 2021 2.9M views 2:46
MLB 2021

What Happened

In the bottom of the ninth inning of a close game between the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals, Corey Kluber of the Indians is on the mound, trying to protect a narrow lead. Royals outfielder Alex Gordon is at the plate, with Royals baserunner Mondesi on first base. Kluber attempts a pickoff throw to first base and Royals catcher Yan Gomes tries to throw out the stealing Mondesi. The throw goes awry, resulting in a soft pop-up. As Gomes reaches to catch the ball, his hand collides with Gordon's bat, ripping open Gomes' thumb. Blood instantly starts pouring from the wound and the umpires quickly rule that Gordon has committed batter's interference, even though he claims he was just swinging the bat normally. Indians manager Terry Francona comes out to argue the call, but the umpires uphold the decision and Gordon is ruled out. Royals manager Ned Yost also questions the ruling, but the umpires stand firm, saying that since Gordon's bat was still over the plate after his swing, it constitutes interference. Gomes, clearly in pain, heads to the dugout, with Roberto Perez coming in to catch for the remainder of the game. The Royals attempt a stolen base with Mondesi, but he is thrown out. Kluber then escapes the inning without further damage, preserving the Indians' slim lead. "I didn't even get in the way," a frustrated Gordon says after the game. "I just swung the bat and he hit my bat with his hand." However, the umpires' decision stands and the unusual play ends the Royals' threat in the ninth. Kluber, who was in the midst of a strong 2018 season, goes on to finish the game and secure the victory for the Indians. For Gomes, the injury ends his season on a bizarre note, while Gordon is left wondering how a routine swing could lead to such an unexpected outcome.

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i was perusing through the stats the

other day being a weirdo seeing if

there's anyone that

leads the league in batter's

interference and i came across this clip