Gallo makes catch so bizarre you’ll need to keep watching to make sure

MINNEAPOLIS — Did the participant management the ball because it made contact with the bottom? Was it underneath the participant’s full management earlier than it popped into the air as he proceeded by the act of the catch?

Bet you didn’t suppose you’d need to ponder these questions whereas watching a baseball sport.

But through the first inning of Wednesday night’s sport between the Twins and Padres at Target Field, Joey Gallo made a catch which may have left even longtime baseball watchers scratching their heads about what it means to catch a ball — however each groups proceeded with out a lot fanfare after Gallo turned the snag right into a double play.

Playing left discipline, Gallo gave chase to a popup down the road off the bat of Manny Machado and went right into a slide because the ball fell into his glove. But because the glove and ball hit the bottom, the drive of the impression jarred the ball unfastened and into the air — and Gallo, to his credit score, had the main target and presence of thoughts to achieve out together with his naked hand and snag the ball earlier than it fell to earth.

The Padres’ baserunners appeared to suppose it hadn’t been caught, as a result of Jake Cronenworth — the runner at first — was standing at second, with Machado on first. Gallo sprang to his ft and fired to first, the place the Twins doubled off Cronenworth with out a lot contest.

Replays appeared to point out that the baseball touched the bottom whereas nestled in Gallo’s glove because the impression brought about it to pop into the air — however was it nonetheless underneath Gallo’s management on the time? Does it matter? Is it a catch? Is it not a catch?

Either manner, it’s a moot level as a result of each groups proceeded with none vital fanfare — and San Diego supervisor Bob Melvin didn’t problem the play.

And apparently Gallo can add 80-grade fingers to his scouting report alongside his prodigious uncooked energy and arm.