Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Yangervis Solarte dives into stands for incredible catch, emerges with glove full of nacho cheese

Sitting along the baselines at the stadium presents fans with a unique opportunity. Being that close to the action, they (presumably) have a more-than-decent chance at a foul ball, especially if assisted by the ballgirl or ballboy. 
Sometimes, fans up against the edge of the field are treated to full-size ballplayers getting up close and personal with them in pursuit of baseballs. That can create the perfect selfie moment or, as happened in the ninth inning of the Padres' 4-1 win over the Giants on Friday, facilitate a comic moment that left everybody smiling. 
Third baseman Yangervis Solarte raced over toward the fence to try and reel in a foul pop off the bat of Ángel Pagán. After reaching in to make the catch, Solarte's momentum carried him into the stands ... and after a few seconds of confusion, he emerged, ball-in-glove. But alas, the glove and ball were both covered with nacho cheese!

Third base umpire Ed Hickox was pretty amused: 

Extra cups of cheese tend to cost extra at the game, so Solarte basically received a tasty reward for his already impressive defensive effort. It may have only counted for one out, but that's basically a double play, one that earned accolades from manager Andy Green (as he told MLB.com's Carlos Collazo after the game) ... 
"It was a great catch. Couldn't tell if he held it, he might have gotten a hot dog and some mustard in over there. I don't know. I don't know what he went into over there, but I don't think you want to go onto the ground in the first row too often. There's usually a lot of peanut shells and beer and everything else."
 And, also, a toast from the Padres' dugout: 

BarberJordan
beephero
AP_702417634020
NYC