Bounced-pitch hit! They're always a delight

As the saying goes: It looks like a line drive in the box score

August 24th, 2021

has had one of the most unexpected breakout performances this season since joining the Mariners right before the Trade Deadline, but he even surprised himself on Monday, getting one of the strangest base knocks of the year.

After A’s lefty Andrew Chafin spiked a slider right in front of the plate in the sixth inning in Oakland, Toro checked his swing and, to his surprise, made contact with the pitch cricket-style. Toro accidentally placed the ball perfectly down the third-base line, as the ball caught third baseman Josh Harrison by surprise and Chafin wasn’t able to make a play as Toro streaked down to first for his second hit of the night.

While some might argue that it was a cheap way to reach base, it looks the same as Toro’s second-inning single in the box score.

Toro’s swinging bunt was the second hit from a bounced pitch this season, as White Sox outfielder Billy Hamilton reached in a nearly identical fashion on July 7 against the Twins.