Sonny Gray celebrated catcher Ivan Herrera’s recovery from a horrific foul tip to the groin in a bizarre way.
Gray started in the Cardinals’ 4-3 win over the Cubs on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball,” facing Ian Happ with two outs and a runner on second base in the bottom of the fourth inning.
On a 1-2 pitch, Happ hit a foul ball directly into Herrera’s groin, causing the catcher to cry out in pain and double over.
Luckily, Herrera was able to bounce back and complete the inning and the game.
Gray struck out Happ to preserve a 2-0 lead, then walked up to the catcher and gave Herrera a friendly pat near where the ball had been hit.
Herrera has a great sense of humor and laughed at the act.
Gray, who pitched for the Yankees in 2017 and 2018, signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Cardinals last offseason.
The Cardinals recorded their second consecutive mini win against a district rival after Friday’s rainout.
St. Louis has won five straight games and is 10-2 in its last 12 games to finish off May on a strong note.
Meanwhile, the Cubs have lost four straight and are 3-9 in their past 12 games.
The Brewers are 3.5 games behind the Cubs for the division lead, who are one game behind the Cardinals.
When Herrera was first injured, ESPN play-by-play announcer Carl Labeck noted, “The Cardinals’ catcher is hurt again.”
Earlier this month, starting catcher Willson Contreras broke his left arm on a swing from Mets outfielder J.D. Martinez.
“It was definitely the most painful thing I’ve ever been in,” Contreras said after the game. “I knew right away that this wasn’t good. And then when I sat down on the dirt, I was numb. I knew something wasn’t right.”
