Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Joe Smith came out onto the field, but had to quickly turn around and run back into the bullpen during the seventh inning of Thursday's game at Progressive Field against the Detroit Tigers.
It happened in the top of the seventh inning. With two men on and one out, Indians manager Manny Acta came out to the pitcher's mound to talk with starter Justin Masterson. Although Acta had no intention of taking Masterson out of the game at that time, Smith jogged about 5-10 yards onto the field before realizing that he wasn't actually getting the call to come into the game.
Of course, Smith may have been confused when he saw the bullpen door open, and it is a little curious why the Indians had the bullpen door open if they weren't sending anyone into the game.
Masterson finished the seventh inning without giving up any runs and was replaced in the eighth inning...by Vinnie Pestano, not Smith. Pestano pitched the eighth inning, while Chris Perez pitched the ninth and got the save in a 2-1 victory. So in the end, Smith never got into the game at all. Talk about awkward.
Video via MLB.com.
It happened in the top of the seventh inning. With two men on and one out, Indians manager Manny Acta came out to the pitcher's mound to talk with starter Justin Masterson. Although Acta had no intention of taking Masterson out of the game at that time, Smith jogged about 5-10 yards onto the field before realizing that he wasn't actually getting the call to come into the game.
Of course, Smith may have been confused when he saw the bullpen door open, and it is a little curious why the Indians had the bullpen door open if they weren't sending anyone into the game.
Masterson finished the seventh inning without giving up any runs and was replaced in the eighth inning...by Vinnie Pestano, not Smith. Pestano pitched the eighth inning, while Chris Perez pitched the ninth and got the save in a 2-1 victory. So in the end, Smith never got into the game at all. Talk about awkward.
Video via MLB.com.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
