CLEVELAND (AP) — In a surprising turn of events, Guardians designated hitter David Fry was carted off the field during Tuesday night’s game against the Tigers. This happened after a pitch unexpectedly hit him in the face while he was trying to bunt.
Fry was attempting to handle a blazing 99 mph fastball from Detroit’s Tarik Skubal when the ball struck his nose and mouth before bouncing off his bat. It was a distressing moment as Fry collapsed, grabbing his face while a visibly shaken Skubal looked on, removing his glove and cap. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt and trainers rushed to his side.
Fry stayed on the ground for several minutes before being assisted to his feet and driven off the field in a cart. The team later reported that he was being evaluated at Lutheran Medical Center.
In a bittersweet twist, after Fry’s departure, Skubal threw a wild pitch to George Valera, Fry’s substitute, allowing Cleveland to score. Skubal also committed a balk during the same inning as the Guardians managed to rally for three runs, taking a 3-2 lead.
With their win, Cleveland is now tied with Detroit for the top spot in the AL Central. Just a few weeks ago, on July 8, the Guardians were trailing by 15.5 games.
In recent times, players being injured by pitches is a growing concern in baseball. A study published last year found that nearly 60% of Major League Baseball players have experienced being hit by a pitch at least once during their careers. This underscores the importance of player safety and equipment advancements in reducing risks.
As the season progresses, fans will keep an eye on Frei’s recovery and how it impacts the Guardians’ playoff aspirations. For more updates, check out AP MLB.
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Tarik Skubal, David Fry, Stephen Vogt, George Valera, Baseball, Cleveland, Detroit, Michigan, Ohio, OH State Wire, MLB, MLB baseball, Sports
