How did Rays’ Josh Lowe ‘help’ Orioles’ Trey Mancini to an inside-the-park home run?
If there’s one thing that the Rays’ right fielder learned, it’s that catching a high fly-ball with your face, is not a thing you do.
Just a few days ago, the Blue Jays shocked us with both the runs they scored and of course an inside-the-park home run. Enter the Orioles and a one-of-a-kind HR of their own. Check it out!
Trey Mancini hits inside-the-park HR, with help
On Thursday night, the Baltimore Orioles continued their run of good form with a 3-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The win, means that the Orioles not only clinched three of the four games in the series, but they also move back above .500 with their record now standing at 50-49. For perspective, the Orioles won just 52 games last year, 54 in 2019 and a less than credible 47 in 2018. Good form indeed.
Yet, the Orioles record nor their latest win is the reason we’re here. Rather, it’s one specific moment that had to be seen to be believed. With a one-run lead intact for almost the entire game, fans had to wait until the eighth inning for action, but just maybe they will admit that it was worth it. With a single runner on base, Trey Mancini hit what appeared to be a run-of-the-mill fly ball to right field. Easy catch, right? Wrong! Rays’ right fielder Josh Lowe somehow managed to lose the line of the ball as it came towards him. Some will say the angle of the sun was to blame, but regardless Lowe failed to make the catch and instead stopped the ball with his face. Not the best moment for Lowe or his team, but certainly one that will be remembered.
It may be Trey Mancini’s last Orioles game
Funnily enough, it wasn’t the first inside-the-park home run of the slugger’s career. Fitting perhaps, as the two-run hit not only secured the win for the Orioles, but it was perhaps Mancini’s last at bat for the ball club. Indeed, it was the Orioles last game before the trade deadline arrives and it’s widely expected that Mancini may be on his way out. That notion was even further cemented by the fact that fans repeatedly gave him a standing ovation between innings. Ultimately, Mancini even took to the field once again after play for a curtain call.
Having only ever played for the Orioles since he was drafted in the eighth round back in 2013, Mancini who is now 30 years old has been a solid servant over the years. An impressive hitter, Mancini further endeared himself to fans in 2021, by returning to the field of play after missing the 2020 season due to his fight against cancer, a fight he won. On the season so far, the 2022 Home Run Derby participant has got a batting average of .271/.346/.411 with 16 doubles, 10 homers and 40 RBI.