Denard Span turned an inning-ending catch into a tumbling class
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Offense was relentless during the first couple innings of the Mariners' game against the Red Sox on Friday night. Nelson Cruz's three-run monster shot led the Mariners to a four-run first. Undeterred, the Red Sox punched back with five of their own in the bottom of the first to take a 5-4 advantage, only to watch the Mariners plate two more runs in the top of the second, snatching the lead right back.
It seemed like the bottom of the second would cause even more problems when a one-out double from J.D. Martinez off Wade LeBlanc moved Mookie Betts to third, putting more runners in scoring position. Thankfully for the Mariners, LeBlanc retired Mitch Moreland, and Xander Bogaerts sent a liner to Denard Span in left field, ending the inning.
But even that out wasn't simple:
Down goes Denard.
Bogaerts absolutely smoked this liner at Span, and it was measured at a 107.9 mph exit velocity. So maybe we shouldn't be surprised that Span went into a fall afterward -- you probably would too if a ball hit that hard happened to find you.
At least we got a free tumbling class in the process.