Tony Kemp saved Justin Verlander from getting beaned by the gum bucket after a walk-off win

The Astros beat the A's in dramatic fashion on Wednesday afternoon when Tyler White went deep in the bottom of the ninth to give them a 5-4 win. The walk-off blast was also the 81st of the season across Major League Baseball, setting a new all-time high.

It was absolutely a time for celebration, and the Astros prepared to mob White at home plate. Seizing the opportunity, Tony Kemp threw a container of bubble gum into the air ... only to see it about to crash down upon his teammates, including ace Justin Verlander.

Thankfully, Kemp came to the rescue with a mighty swat:

Phew!

Kemp later tweeted about the save when someone sent him a clip highlighting his athletic jump ...

Life flashed before my eyes when I saw the container heading for @JustinVerlander's head #SwatTeam https://t.co/SvDP0MzwP0

- Tony Kemp (@tonykemp) August 29, 2018

... and Verlander was quick to express his gratitude:

😂😂 Mutombo blocked your own shot. ☝️no☝️no☝️no https://t.co/sgK6Vmyjfp

- Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) August 29, 2018

Of course, Kemp slightly messing up his chance to celebrate with White at home plate didn't mean that he was going to let him off the hook during the postgame interview:

That's more like it.