Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene struggled in the sweltering heat Tuesday night, throwing up on the mound in the first inning and ultimately being pulled from the game after four innings.
Amidst the scorching temperatures that have gripped the country, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene found himself struggling with the ill effects of the heat during Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park.
With the temperature hovering around 90 degrees at first pitch, Greene took to the mound and quickly faced some adversity. In the top of the first inning, while pitching to Bryan Reynolds, Greene delivered a 95 mph fastball that was fouled off. Almost immediately after contact was made, Greene turned around and vomited on the mound.
Reds' Hunter Greene Vomits on Mound in Scorching Heat, Leaves Game Early
Trainers rushed to Greene's aid, checking on his physical condition. While he appeared to be okay, the incident seemed to be a sign of things to come. Pittsburgh capitalized on Greene's discomfort, scoring three runs in the inning, including a two-run homer from Reynolds.
Greene continued to struggle in the third inning, allowing three more runs before being pulled from the game after four innings. The broadcast team noted that Greene had also experienced nausea after his last start, attributed to excessive water consumption in an attempt to stay hydrated.
Reds' Hunter Greene Vomits on Mound in Scorching Heat, Leaves Game Early
This incident is reminiscent of a similar occurrence in 2021 when Dylan Bundy, then pitching for the Los Angeles Angels, also fell ill on the mound due to heat exhaustion. Bundy was pitching in nearly 100-degree heat in the Bronx and was forced to leave his start in the second inning.
The ill-effects of heat on pitchers are a serious concern, especially during the summer months when temperatures can soar. Pitchers rely on their physical stamina and endurance to perform at their best, and extreme heat can compromise their ability to compete effectively.
Reds' Hunter Greene Vomits on Mound in Scorching Heat, Leaves Game Early
The Reds and Pirates remain close in the wild-card race, both entering the game with a 37-41 record and 2.5 games out of a playoff spot. Greene's early exit will be a blow to the Reds' hopes of making a postseason push, and the team will need to find a way to navigate the remaining games in the scorching heat.
In addition to Greene's struggles, the heat also affected the overall pace of the game. Players from both teams were seen drinking plenty of fluids and taking frequent breaks to cool down. Umpires also made concessions, allowing players to wipe away sweat more frequently and taking extra time between innings to give players a chance to recover.
Despite the challenges posed by the heat, both teams remained determined to compete, providing fans with a hard-fought and entertaining game. However, Greene's incident highlights the real dangers of pitching in extreme temperatures and serves as a reminder that the well-being of players must be a top priority.
