PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 11: Manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves takes out Bryce Elder #55 against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning in Game Three of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Snitker took a foul ball in a very uncomfortable place.
The Atlanta Braves defeated the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Wednesday night, thanks to a strong performance by Chris Sale. However, the game was notably marked by an incident involving Braves manager Brian Snitker. In the bottom of the fifth inning, with a 1-2 count, Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies fouled off a Jordan Hicks sweeper into the Braves dugout, striking Snitker in a rather uncomfortable spot.
Braves manager Brian Snitker was hit with a foul ball in the crotch area 😳
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 4, 2024
Snitker reassured everyone that he was okay after the incident. The Braves TV broadcast, featuring Brandon Gaudin and C.J. Nitkowski, added a humorous touch to the situation, lightening the mood.
"That bounced right into his belly…Oh, no. Not on the belly. Never mind. That's a different kind of belly."
"Belt buckle. Hopefully."
Brandon Gaudin and C.J. Nitkowski on the call as Braves manager Brian Snitker is hit by a foul ball in an…unfortunate spot. pic.twitter.com/cbD1G01oY3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 4, 2024
Chris Sale pitched six strong innings, allowing only three hits and recording nine strikeouts to earn his 11th win of the season, tying him with Kansas City’s Seth Lugo for the most wins in the majors. This marks Sale’s highest win total since his 12-4 season with the Boston Red Sox in 2018.
Sale began the game impressively, needing just six pitches to retire the Giants in order in the first inning. He struck out the side in the third inning and added two more strikeouts at the start of the fifth before surrendering his first hit of the game. His dominant performance set the tone for the Braves’ victory over the Giants.
Braves fans react to Brian Snitker’s viral moment
Here’s a paraphrase of the tweets:
1. Sam Hunter joked that Ozzie Albies might face a fine in the team’s internal “kangaroo court” for the incident.
2. Playdda remarked that if the foul ball had been just a couple of inches in a different direction, it could have been much worse for Brian Snitker.
3. The Chosen Juan commented humorously on how the count quickly went from a full count to no balls and two strikes in a different context.
4. CJ Fogler’s account humorously noted that Brian Snitker took a foul ball right in a sensitive area.
5. Mark Berman expressed discomfort in watching Brian Snitker get hit in the dugout during the game.
It never gets old https://t.co/ACu1n1WEF0 pic.twitter.com/w3fzsbHzqb
— Georgie Mid (@Wknisbro) July 4, 2024
No word on if he’ll be able to play on Thursday.
