After losing their last two series, the Baltimore Orioles opened a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday. The game started with a scare for Orioles catcher James McCann.
In the bottom of the first inning, Blue Jays pitcher Yariel Rodriguez's 95 mph fastball struck McCann directly in the face, sending shivers through the entire ballpark.
McCann fell to the ground in immense pain as the medical crew came out to assess his injury. His nose dripped blood and appeared to be broken, yet McCann opted to continue playing. After his nose was plugged to stop the bleeding, he made his way to first base.
After the incident, Yariel Rodriguez was replaced by pitcher Brandon Eisert.
James McCann opens up about the injury scare in the Orioles' 11-5 victory
Ryan Mountcastle gave the Baltimore Orioles the lead in the first inning with his RBI single, followed by Jordan Westburg’s groundout that also brought in a run. Ramon Urias' walk with the bases loaded extended their lead to 3-0, after which James McCann’s injury scare occurred.
Discussing the incident after the game, McCann said (via ABC News):
“I take pride in staying tough, doing what I can to stay on the field. That's what I was able to do today. At first, it's more scary than anything. It's like taking a pretty good right hook.
“I felt like if I could get the blood to stop flowing then I could stay in the game, and that was what I was able to do.”
James McCann’s HBP with the bases loaded allowed Mountcastle to score, extending their lead to 4-0 by the end of the first inning. In the third inning, Ramón Urías' RBI groundout brought in a run for the Orioles.
Ryan O'Hearn’s sacrifice fly and Jordan Westburg’s RBI double gave them a 7-0 lead. In the fifth inning, Colton Cowser’s sacrifice fly added a run. Shortly after came Anthony Santander’s 374-foot homer, allowing James McCann to score.
Ryan Mountcastle’s solo home run in the eighth inning gave them an 11-4 lead. The Blue Jays managed to score only one more run.