Just before the All-Star Break, there was a sight no one wanted to see in Houston. The Astros and the Los Angeles Angels were finishing off a three-game series prior to the start of the break, when in the eighth inning there was a violent collision between Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy and Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick during a play at the plate.
Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy was carted off the field in the eighth inning after a collision at the plate with the Astros' Jake Marisnick. https://t.co/YdaOzxIquU
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 8, 2019
After the collision, Lucroy didn’t move for a few seconds and was eventually carted off the field. He was sent to the hospital for preliminary tests, and doctors performed a CT scan to make sure there was nothing wrong internally. Lucroy is suspected to have suffered a broken nose and was possibly concussed as a result of the play, but we’ll find out the official diagnosis in the coming days.
Through my eyes I thought the play was going to end up on the outside of the plate. I made a split second decision at full speed to slide head first on the inside part of the plate. That decision got another player hurt and I feel awful. I hope nothing but the best for @JLucroy20
— Jake Marisnick (@JSMarisnick) July 8, 2019
For his part, Marisnick took to Twitter to apologize after the game was over. Marisnick was notably concerned after Lucroy didn’t immediately get up following the collision, and he attempted to explain his thought process right before the play.
From the video, it appears that both players moved inside the third base line at the same time, leading to the two colliding just a few feet away from the plate. Marisnick and Lucroy were both very concerned with their positioning, and once Marisnick cut inside it was too late for him to change course as Lucroy tried to grab the ball and block the plate.
In a profanity-laced post, Cardinals star Yadier Molina let his feelings known regarding the play that injured Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy. https://t.co/PylwHOl3YY
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 8, 2019
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has made his opinion on the play quite clear. Molina thinks that Marisnick was in the wrong and went off on anyone who thought otherwise. The nine-time All-Star catcher posted an expletive-laden rant on his Instagram regarding the incident, and then vehemently disagreed with anyone who believed it was a clean play.
Others in the media have called for Marisnick to be suspended, but there is no word yet from MLB.
H/T: USAToday.com
