The Tampa Bay Rays were getting blown out 10-1 by the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning on Friday night, so they decided to go a position player to pitch instead of wasting innings from their regular relievers. The Rays brought in outfielder Brett Phillips to make his pitching debut, and, well, it was very interesting.
Even his bullpen warm-up was captivating. A highly eager and energetic Phillips showed off extremely bizarre pitching mechanics.
Brett Phillips warming up😵💫 pic.twitter.com/7LbH4EAsVS
— DRaysBay (@draysbay) July 3, 2021
BRETT PHILLIPS IS ABOUT TO ENTER FROM THE BULLPEN.
And boy is he ready. pic.twitter.com/F8fVuMzhIv
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) July 3, 2021
And when the bullpen got the phone call from the dugout, Phillips sprinted to the mound.
Brett Phillips takes the mound for his first career pitching appearance
I'M DYING 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/Rp14GdPMEO
— Grace Remington (@GraceRemiTV) July 3, 2021
Then came the actual pitching… and a balk when he dropped the ball while trying to pitch out of the stretch.
Brett "The Bird" Phillips. Balk. 😂 pic.twitter.com/xbbM2zbs0z
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 3, 2021
You may be shocked to learn that he showed off a 94 mph fastball, while likely not being as shocked that a 47 mph pitch was included.
Brett "getting outs" Phillips makes his 1st career pitching appearance!
📺: Bally Sports Sun
💻: https://t.co/SNN9nCdrV1
📱: Bally Sports app#RaysUp #MLB pic.twitter.com/yJVEfXXwLI— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) July 3, 2021
Brett Phillips, 94mph Fastball and 47mph Slowball.
Changing speeds. 😯 pic.twitter.com/P7NdGIPAB7
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 3, 2021
Phillips allowed one earned run over one inning pitched, so it was actually a fine performance compared to how the rest of the night went for the Tampa Bay pitching staff in an 11-1 Blue Jays win.
