Mariners pitcher George Kirby was left bloodied in a scary scene Tuesday evening when he was hit within the face with a 102.7-mph line drive off the bat of Orioles infielder Ramon Urias.
Fortunately, Kirby used his cat-like reflexes to get his hand and glove up proper earlier than the ball the ball struck him within the fifth inning of a 5-1 loss.
Kirby had blood on his face after being hit, however averted a damaged jaw or another severe damage in what proved to be his closing pitch after the Mariners transformed an out on the play.
“(Feeling) pretty good,” Kirby mentioned after the sport, per the Seattle Instances. “Didn’t even hurt, honestly. It got my hand — like 50/50 hand (and) mouth. But we’re good.”
Whereas the Mariners suffered a loss Tuesday, they’re definitely counting their blessings that Kirby received his hand as much as brace a few of the affect and keep away from a possible devastating damage.
Mariners supervisor Dan Wilson instructed reporters postgame that Kirby would get X-rays to make sure that he averted the worst and even expressed optimism that Kirby may make his subsequent begin.
“I didn’t even see it coming, just put my hand up,” Kirby mentioned, per MLB.com. “I’m just glad it kind of missed any of the bad spots on my face.”
Kirby had struggled via three begins, however Tuesday marked one in every of his greatest showings this season.
The righty allowed two runs over 5 innings whereas hanging out three batters.
His evening ended on mentioned play when the ball caromed off his his face towards first baseman Rowdy Tellez to finish the highest of the inning with a 2-1 deficit.
He presently traces as much as face the Angels on Sunday, however Kirby may have that pushed again as he breathes a sigh of aid that this case wasn’t a lot worse.
After Tuesday’s loss, the Mariners are 32-27 and a half-game behind the division-leading Astros.
