New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto stepped out of the batter's box to swat at a bee in the middle of a pitch in one of his at-bats during Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.
It happened in the bottom of second with one out and the bases loaded as the Rays led 1-0. Rays starter Shane Baz was winding up to deliver the first pitch of Soto's at-bat when Soto suddenly called for time, stepped out of the box and swatted at a bee. It was too late for Soto to call time, so Baz threw the pitch, was called a ball by the home plate umpire.
Meanwhile, Soto composed himself and prepared to get back into the box when he took another swat at the bee near him.
Juan Soto stepped out of the box mid-pitch to swat at a bee 🐝😂 pic.twitter.com/iCTLPYG0Ac
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) July 21, 2024
Very strange to see. We have seen swarms of bees cause delays in MLB games, and we have seen other animals interrupt games, but nothing like this.
Soto worked the count to 3-0, but then grounded into a double play to end the inning and blow the scoring opportunity. The Rays beat the Yankees 6-4.
