Catcher’s Hand Slashed by Bat in Bizarre Interference Call

Catcher’s Hand Slashed by Bat in Bizarre Interference Call

In a moment that left fans and players scratching their heads, Cleveland catcher Yan Gomes suffered a bloody hand after a strange play involving a swinging bat and an umpire’s call. The incident, which occurred late in the 2018 season between the Cleveland and the Kansas City Royals, saw Gomes’ hand make contact with Alex Gordon’s bat during a pickoff attempt, resulting in an immediate and significant bleed. The play culminated in a batter’s interference call, adding another layer of confusion to an already unusual situation.

A Pickoff Gone Wrong

The scenario unfolded with Cleveland’s pitcher, Corey Kluber, on the mound and a runner on first base. The Royals had a runner, Mandisy, on first. With Kluber pitching, the team attempted a pickoff to keep Mandisy from stealing. As the catcher, Gomes, received the pitch, Mandisy was already in motion. Gomes attempted to throw out the runner, but the ball popped up slightly. In the ensuing chaos, the replay showed Kluber delivering a pitch, and as his throwing hand came forward, it struck Alex Gordon’s bat.

The impact was immediate and severe. Gomes’ hand began to bleed instantly, with what appeared to be his nail bed being hit. The visual was striking, showcasing the raw physicality of the game in a way few expected. The analysis of the clip highlighted the surprising speed at which the injury manifested, a testament to the force involved.

“Bam, he hits his thumb right on the bat and it instantly starts bleeding, which is crazy to me how instant it is.”

The Interference Ruling

Adding to the drama, the umpires ruled the play as batter’s interference. Alex Gordon, the batter, expressed confusion, stating he hadn’t intentionally gotten in the way. He argued that he had simply swung the bat, and the catcher’s hand had hit it. Gordon believed the catcher should be more careful with his hand placement. However, the umpire, whose appearance was noted as resembling Rob Corddry, maintained that because the bat was still in Gordon’s hand and in the hitting zone, it constituted interference.

The umpire’s reasoning was that even after the swing, if the bat remains in a position where it impedes the catcher’s actions, it can be called interference. This interpretation led to Gordon being called out. The Cleveland dugout, including the manager, came out to argue the call, trying to understand the logic. Gordon himself was unsure of exactly what happened, only knowing he had swung the bat.

After conferring, the umpires upheld the decision. The ruling was that since Gordon’s bat was over home plate and he had swung, it was interference. The officials acknowledged the unusual nature of the call, with one admitting he had never seen anything like it before.

Kluber Escapes the Jam

Following the controversial call, Mandisy returned to first base. The situation remained tense as the runner was now on first base again, with two outs. Knowing the runner might try to steal, Cleveland called for a pitch out on the next play. The runner was indeed thrown out at second base, ending the threat.

The play had a ripple effect, with catcher Roberto Perez coming into the game, perhaps thinking his season was over. However, with the runner now on third after a subsequent move, Kluber found himself in another jam. Despite the runner advancing to third with two outs, the 2018 version of Corey Kluber, described as a “horse,” was up to the task. He got a batter to check swing on a pitch and then finished the inning with a high fastball, escaping the dangerous situation.

Looking Ahead

The game concluded with both Yan Gomes and Alex Gordon finishing their seasons on a truly peculiar play. It remains a question whether Gordon played in the next game after the incident. As opening day approaches, the focus shifts to the upcoming season. The broadcast announced plans for live streaming every opening day game, preceded by a pregame show, reminding viewers of their sponsor, Corona.

This strange sequence of events serves as a bizarre footnote to the 2018 season for both teams and players involved. It highlights the unpredictable nature of baseball, where even the most routine plays can turn into memorable, and sometimes painful, moments.

Source: Catcher's hand left bloody after hitting the bat while throwing, a breakdown (YouTube)