Mariners' Gilbert Avoids Injury as Ball Sticks in Jersey

Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert avoided serious injury in a bizarre first-inning incident during Wednesday's 5-4 walk-off victory over the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park, the finale of a three-game series.

With runners on first and third and no outs, Gilbert, a 28-year-old right-hander, faced Athletics designated hitter Carlos Cortes on a 2-1 count. Cortes crushed an 86 mph slider at 107.8 mph back toward the mound. The line drive slipped through the buttons of Gilbert's jersey and lodged against his chest, never touching the ground. Gilbert frantically searched the dirt around him before realizing the ball was trapped in his uniform. He winced and grabbed at his stomach as Cortes trotted to first base.

Umpires ruled the play dead and awarded Cortes a single, citing Major League Baseball rules that require catches with a glove or bare hand, not clothing. Runner Shea Langeliers advanced from first to second, while Nick Kurtz remained at third, loading the bases with one out. Tyler Soderstrom followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Kurtz for the game's first run, and Jeff McNeil added an RBI single to plate Langeliers, giving Oakland a 2-0 lead.