Donaldson somehow unscathed after 87-mph pitch to face

Baseball is a game of inches. Sometimes, that extra inch is the difference between a ball and a strike, or an extra base and an out.

On rare occasions, though, that extra inch saves you from getting your face smashed in.

Such was the case Friday night at Kauffman Stadium, where Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson narrowly avoided a major injury and somehow emerged unscathed after getting struck in the face by an 87-mph pitch from Kansas City Royals interim closer Kelvin Herrera. An inch to Herrera's left and that ball might have missed the ear flap on Donaldson's helmet.

Blue Jays head trainer George Poulis immediately rushed out to check on Donaldson, who dropped to the ground hard and held his face in his hands after getting hit, but the reigning MVP made it to first base rather promptly and was able to remain in the game.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)