Cleveland’s rookie outfielder Will Brennan hit a ground ball that accidentally killed a bird that had wandered onto the infield turf during the Guardians’ 3-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
In the second inning, Brennan, a left-handed hitter, went the other way on a fastball from Chicago’s Jesse Scholtens. The ocean liner connected to the small bird.that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The ball, timed at 100.1 mph, hit the bird, and when Brennan reached first, she reacted by putting her hands on her helmet and grimacing. The referees called time out and allowed a member of the ground staff to scoop out the dead bird.
After the game, Brennan posted an apology on Twitter to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta).
“Really sorry @peta and bird enthusiasts,” Brennan wrote. “An unfortunate sacrifice.”
It is the second time in a week that a major leaguer has accidentally killed a bird.
Last week, Arizona pitcher Zac Gallen accidentally hit and killed a bird while warming up in the outfield before the Diamondbacks played the Oakland A’s. Gallen threw a curveball that hit the bird mid-flight.
Gallen’s throw was reminiscent of Arizona Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson, who i killed a bird who flew in front of one of the lefty’s fastballs during a spring training game in 2001.