In a captivating display of athleticism and a twist of humor, the Baltimore Orioles secured a 9-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, marking a memorable night for star closer Craig Kimbrel.
Milestone Achievement
Kimbrel, known for his blazing fastball and pinpoint control, notched his 422nd career save, tying him with Billy Wagner for seventh on the all-time MLB saves list. The milestone moment was a testament to his exceptional skill and tireless dedication.
Unexpected Debacle
However, a quirky incident during the game overshadowed Kimbrel’s achievement. After recording the final out, young ball boy Colton Cowser made an astonishing move: he casually tossed the baseball behind him, sending it plummeting into the Kauffman Stadium fountains.
“I just yeeted it behind me,” Cowser nonchalantly told reporters after the game. “Right when I threw it, I said, ‘Craig has a lot of saves, that one might have been important. I literally told Cedric [Mullins] right whenever, ‘I might have messed up.'”
Needless to say, Kimbrel was surprised by Cowser’s act. “It’s fine, it doesn’t bother me none,” said the unfazed closer. “We’ll see what the authenticators think when we talk to them here in a little bit. There was some hurt, I could tell that he was a little distraught about it, and I told him not to worry about it too much and not to lose sleep.”
Moment of Levity
Amid the seriousness of an MLB game, Cowser’s antics brought a moment of unexpected laughter. He admitted to not realizing the significance of the baseball he had tossed aside.
- Left with No Choice: Unsure of which ball was the real one, the confused stadium worker retrieved both baseballs from the fountains.
- Authentication Mystery: Experts will now have to determine which ball to officially award to Kimbrel as his 422nd save.
Upcoming Challenges
Despite the ball boy incident, Kimbrel’s dominance remains unyielding. He boasts an impressive 1.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts through his first five saves this season.
As the Orioles aim for the playoffs, Kimbrel’s veteran leadership and reliable arm will play a crucial role in their success. Next in line to be surpassed on the all-time saves list are John Franco (424 saves) and Kenley Jansen (425 saves).
In the meantime, fans can’t help but wonder if Cowser’s ball toss will become an unforgettable footnote in Kimbrel’s otherwise illustrious career.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
