David Ortiz has a mean headbutt.
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve attempted to turn a double play in the fifth inning of Friday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. His bid was unsuccessful because his throw to first base smoked Ortiz in the helmet and ricocheted all the way into the stands along the first base line.
It was a strange play that benefited the Red Sox, as Xander Bogaerts scored and Hanley Ramirez, who hit the ball, wound up at second base. A throwing error was charged to Altuve on the forceout. Pablo Sandoval tied the game 5-5 with a single into center field one batter later.
The Red Sox definitely were lucky. If Altuve unleashed his throw a few inches lower or Ortiz was a few inches taller, the baseball would have drilled Big Papi directly between the eyes. Ortiz was all smiles following the brush with disaster, though. He jogged back to the dugout without incident.
That’s one way to keep your head in the game. (Rimshot!)
