Watch: Mariners fan hits Kirby after throwing ball on field
Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby was hit with a baseball while on the mound after a fan at T-Mobile Park threw it at the pitcher. Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker originally fouled the ball into the stands during an at-bat in the sixth inning of Tuesday's game.
Fan threw a ball on the field and hit P George Kirby pic.twitter.com/mvviGe7eMT
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 27, 2023
“It surprised the hell out of me. I thought it was the umpire because I had my hand up, asked for the ball. Thought he had threw it,” Kirby said of the incident, according to the Associated Press. “I mean, it was an impressive throw. I’ll give him that. But, you know, what the heck?”
The young Mariners fan was apparently thrown out of the game.
Kid who threw the ball at George Kirby. In a Mariners City Connect jersey.
— Seattle Mariners ON Tap (@MarinersONtap) September 27, 2023
He is being thrown out. pic.twitter.com/3mhEiQ4qWn
Kirby wasn't hurt following the incident and completed the inning.
“The fact that he threw it at our starting pitcher in maybe the most critical game of the year - interesting. But you know, never a dull moment around the Mariners,” Seattle manager Scott Servais added after the game.