BOSTON — It was a split second from being one of the best catches ever seen. Instead, it was a home run.
More important to the Red Sox, though, Mookie Betts’ head-over-heels tumble over the short right-field fence and into the bullpen in the sixth inning Tuesday night resulted in the 22-year-old center fielder suffering from concussion symptoms that might land him on the disabled list.
“It’s an odd play, certainly,” manager John Farrell said after the Red Sox lost for the 11th time in 13 games, 9-4, to the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park. “I think at this point the concern is just about how he comes out of the imaging and the testing here. But as far as the freak play, there’s been a number of them this year.”
To recap: Betts tracked first baseman Jose Abreu’s drive to the warning track in right-center field. After catching the ball on the run, Betts leaped to brace himself from a collision with the wall and wound up somersaulting over the fence and into the bullpen.
As Betts fell to the ground, he hit his head. The force of the fall jarred the ball out of his glove. After initially ruling that Betts made the catch, the umpires reviewed the play and overturned the call based on Rule 5.09(a). Farrell agreed with the umpires’ interpretation.
“He’s got to hold onto the ball, that’s the bottom line,” Farrell said. “Once the ball came loose, it’s ruled a home run.”
The Red Sox’ larger concern is for Betts’ health.
After climbing back over the wall, Betts ran almost all the way off the field before sitting down on the grass in front of the Red Sox’ dugout and complaining of “light-headedness,” according to Farrell.
Betts underwent additional testing after the game. While a decision has not been made yet, it seems likely he will have to go on the 7-day concussion disabled list, in which case center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. would be called up from Triple-A Pawtucket, according to the Boston Herald.
“It’s an unbelievable effort Mookie gave to try to run that ball down,” pitcher Wade Miley said. “That’s how he plays. He’s going to give you everything he’s got every out. Unfortunately, it didn’t go for us. Whatever the rule states, it is what it is. Hats off to Mookie for the effort.”