- Carlos Gomez collided with Jake Bauers in Saturday home game versus Mariners
- Gomez completed the sliding catch of the foul ball despite smash to the groin
- Neither player left the game despite bruises and both played again on Sunday
A Tampa Bay Rays outfielder and first baseman have smashed their groins together in a play that is producing cringes among baseball fans nationwide.
Incredibly, Rays right fielder Carlos Gomez completed the sliding foul ball catch for a clutch out in Saturday’s home game against the Seattle Mariners, despite colliding with first baseman Jake Bauers.
The collision produced a sickening thunk sound that could be heard on the televised broadcast.
Rays right fielder Carlos Gomez (right) completed the sliding foul ball catch for a clutch out in Saturday’s home game, despite colliding with first baseman Jake Bauers (left)
Gomez’s two-out catch of Ryon Healy’s foul ball stranded a Mariners’ runner on first in the top of the seventh, sending the Rays up to bat with a 6-3 lead.
Gomez and Bauers, both presumably wearing cups, lay stunned for a moment in front of the Rays dugout, but were both able to remain in the game.
The Rays went on to win 7-3, snapping an eight-game losing streak.
Both players also returned to the field on Sunday looking no worse for the wear.
Carlos Gomez is seen on Sunday, when he returned to play without serious apparent injury
“It was very scary,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said of the collision after the game.
“They were both really fortunate to be OK. Jake has a little banged-up ribs and Carlos a shin, but what a tremendous play to make the catch.”
Rays rookie Bauers doubled in the first for his first major league hit after starting his career 0 for 8.
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