Watch: MLB Pitcher Channels 'The Matrix' on Double Play Ball
Houston Astros pitcher Colin McHugh showed some incredible flexibility Tuesday, literally bending over backward to avoid a line drive up the middle.
After the play, home plate umpire Chris Guccione walked out to the mound and told McHugh how impressive his maneuver was, saying the move was straight out of the dimension-altering film “The Matrix.”
See for yourself.
Colin McHugh was the Peter La Fleur of his High School dodgeball team… #Astros pic.twitter.com/hQENl4H3Wk
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) April 17, 2019
It happened in the bottom of the second in the Astros’ 9-1 win over the Oakland A’s at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. With Khris Davis on first, Kendrys Morales ripped a line drive up the middle right at McHugh. The right-hander leaned back, almost forming a right angle with the ground, to avoid it.
The ball was fielded by second baseman Jose Altuve, who stepped on second and fired to first for the double play.
No, Neo. I’m trying to tell you that when you’re ready, you won’t have to.#TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/JFOAcFYuCP
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 17, 2019
“You could see [McHugh] just starting to duck out of the way. And [the ball] went right under his chin. And it reminded me exactly of Keanu Reeves and ‘The Matrix.’ And so I had to go out there and I told him, ‘Man, that was just like “The Matrix.”‘ He tells me, ‘Was it really? I’ll have to look at it after the game.’ But at the time, I think he was able to see it up on the board,” Guccione told MLB.com after the game.
The replay was put up on the video board after the play so McHugh, and everyone else, could see it.
“We both turned around and watched it,” McHugh said, referring to himself and Guccione.
This slow-motion replay shows how close it came to hitting McHugh. It went under his chin.
Houston @astros pitcher Colin McHugh going all Matrix to avoid the comebacker. ? pic.twitter.com/Sde988J9AS
— Kyle Kraska (@KyleKraska) April 17, 2019
“I’ve had a few close calls,” McHugh said after the game. “I don’t know if it gets much closer than that. But, thankfully, it wasn’t coming as hard as it probably could have been.”
McHugh was also impressive with his arm, as he gave up just two hits and no runs through six innings of work to get the win. He’s now 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA on the season. He’s seventh in the MLB in ERA and tied for third in wins.
“His slider was good, his fastball was good; his Matrix move was pretty good on the double play … truly showing his athleticism,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said in summing up his performance, according to MLB.com.
The Astros have now won 10 straight games and lead the AL West at 12-5.
WWWWWWWWWW#TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/G1MqQe6Qbi
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 17, 2019
Alex Bregman hit a grand slam, while Josh Reddick added a two-run homer.
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