Kevin Pillar is one tough cookie.
The Mets outfielder took a 94 mph fastball directly to the face in Monday night’s game vs. the Braves. He immediately went down, bleeding profusely from the nose, as the ball rocketed in the opposite direction.
Pillar got up and walked off under his own power after the training staff came out, though he was removed from the game. Below is a clip of the scary scene:
Warning: The video contains graphic content.
Kevin Pillar got hit in the face by a Jacob Webb fastball.
Amazingly, he walked off under his own power.
Still, a frightening scene nonetheless. pic.twitter.com/6kPINtKIYn
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) May 18, 2021
Everyone appeared to be shaken up, especially Braves pitcher Jacob Webb, who threw the ball. The Braves removed him from the game as well.
Braves coaches Kevin Seitzer and Rick Kranitz have spent the past half-inning on the dugout bench talking with Jacob Webb ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/btCcycS4iI
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) May 18, 2021
The hit by pitch — on a 2-2 count with bases loaded and two outs in the top of the seventh — forced in a run to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. Khalil Lee pinch-ran for Pillar and stayed in to play right field. Lee and Johneshwy Fargas were called up on Monday after Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil went on the injured list.
It marked the second time in recent weeks where a batter took a pitch to the face. The Phillies’ Bryce Harper took a 97 mph fastball to the nose in April. He left the game after being left bloodied, but was deemed OK after clearing tests.
Pillar, in his first season in New York, entered the batting .247 with 19 hits, 2 home runs and seven RBIs in 77 at-bats.
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