Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert made one of the most bizarre defensive plays of the season when he used his own jersey to snag a blistering 108mph line drive. Despite the impressive stop, the play was ruled a base hit rather than an out due to a technicality in the rulebook.
During the game, a batter smoked a ball right back at the mound. Gilbert, who had no time to bring his glove into position, instinctively pulled his jersey tight across his chest — and the ball stuck in the fabric. Teammates and fans erupted in disbelief as the umpire signaled the ball was dead and awarded the batter a single.
According to MLB rules, "a batted or thrown ball going inside a player or coach's uniform is deemed out of play." Since the ball lodged in Gilbert's shirt rather than being caught cleanly in his glove or hand, the batter was given a hit.
"I just reacted," Gilbert said after the game. "You never practice that. I looked down and it was just sitting there in my shirt. I thought, 'Well, that's one way to stop a rocket.'"
Though it didn't count as an out, the play quickly went viral, with broadcasters and fans marveling at the quick thinking and sheer luck involved. "In his shirt!?" the announcer exclaimed. "That's a new one."
The Mariners went on to win the game, but the moment will likely be remembered as one of the most unconventional defensive plays of the year.