Talk about effectively wild.

With the Royals trailing the A's, 7-4, in the top of the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night, left-hander Jake Brentz entered, looking to keep Oakland at bay. He got a swinging strike on his first pitch to Starling Marte to open the frame. His second pitch ... welllll ... let's just say it didn't go as planned.

The 27-year-old reliever -- celebrating his birthday no less! -- held on to the ball a tad too long, spiking his attempted offering on the dirt in front of him.

Not surprisingly, spin rate data wasn't available. But all's well that ends well: Brentz fanned Marte in a perfect frame and earned the win after the Royals scored four runs in the bottom of the inning in their 10-7 victory.