Boston Red Sox players and staff were left visibly distressed after a fan fell from the stands and into their bullpen during their game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Major League Baseball game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia was delayed for around 10 minutes on Friday night when a spectator fell over a protective railing and into the Red Sox team area whilst reaching for a baseball in the first inning of the game.
The fan was stretchered out of the bullpen and taken to a trauma center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital after tumbling one level from an open concourse when trying to retrieve a ball thrown his way. Red Sox players and staff were seen watching on concerned after the incident with one appearing to be wiping away tears.
The Phillies released a statement saying the fan was conscious and responsive as they left the stadium and their injuries were not disclosed. A Phillies employee was later seen appearing to clean blood from the area where the incident took place.
Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado ran from the bullpen and into the outfield to alert medical workers to the incident whilst Masataka Yoshida, the second Red Sox batter, faced Zack Wheeler. Fans were immediately cleared from the railing close to the visiting bullpen by security personnel whilst responders attended to the fan and players watched on in concern.
The game was a near sell-out as Bryce Harper returned for the home side after offseason elbow surgery. The game ended with a 5-3 win for the Red Sox, advancing to 20-14 on the season, but players were keen to send their thoughts to the fan involved in the incident.
“It was definitely scary for a lot of us,” Boston reliever Josh Winckowski said. “We were all pretty worried, feeling uneasy.”
He revealed that the team was able to relax after getting a call saying the fan was conscious and responsive having feared they may have died from the fall.
“That meant a lot,” Winckowski said. “Helped a bunch.”
“Thank God,” said reliever Kenley Jansen. "God was on our side and saved the man."
