MLB Catcher Slam: Strange Pitch After Home Run
Astronauts Lose too Yankees, Pitcher Hits Catcher
The Astronauts’ 31-year-old star left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez faced the Yankees at home today. He conceded 6 points in 5 innings, and the Astronauts ultimately lost 1-7. Valdez suspected a miscommunication regarding pitch calls, and accidentally hit his 29-year-old catcher César Salazar in the chest.
The incident occurred in the 5th inning with two outs, facing Yankees hitter Trent Grisham.With a 0-1 count, Salazar signaled for a different pitch, but Valdez threw a 95.9-mile-per-hour fastball that sailed out of the left field strike zone.
Valdez then faced anthony Volpe, throwing another fastball (92.8 mph) that hit Salazar in the chest, deviating from the catcher’s expected path.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Innings Pitched | 5 |
| points Conceded | 6 |
| Hits Allowed | 2 |
| Walks | 1 |
| strikeouts | 8 |
| Losses (Season) | 8 |
| ERA (after Game) | 3.40 |
Valdez addressed the pitch that hit Salazar, stating through an interpreter, “What happened to us is just a wrong code. I asked to throw that ball, I lost it, but we made a mistake in the attack code. After we went back to the lounge,I apologized to him and I took obligation for it.”
“We talked after the game… right in front of his locker, and now everything is good between us, that’s what’s going to happen in the baseball arena. but we’ve talked about it, we’re fine.”
Salazar also commented on the incident, saying, “The court was very noisy at the time. I thought I pressed the correct button (referring to Pitchcom) but pressed the wrong button. I originally expected it to be another type of ball, but it was not the same one.” He emphasized that Valdez did not intentionally hit him,stating,”My relationship with Fr…