On Friday night, Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedle paid a painful but historic price, becoming the first player in MLB history to be hit by pitches three times in a single game. Friedle, the team’s leadoff hitter, was struck in the third, fifth, and eighth innings during the Reds’ 8-4 win over the New York Mets, each time by a different Mets pitcher.
In the third inning, Friedle was hit in the left forearm by a 91 mph fastball from left-hander Sean Manaea, who was making his first start of the season after recovering from an oblique injury and elbow bone issues. Then, in the fifth inning, right-handed reliever Alex Carrillo hit Friedle with an 85 mph slider. Finally, in the eighth, Mets lefty Brandon Waddell hit him again, this time with a 91 mph sinker.
Despite the repeated impact, Friedle remained in the game and reported no significant issues, intending to play again the following day. His three hit-by-pitches tie a rare feat shared by only 34 players since 1901, including three others this season like Washington Nationals’ CJ Abrams and Colorado Rockies’ Tyler Freeman.
While Friedle did not get any hits in the game, he scored twice to help the Reds. Left fielder Austin Hayes powered the offense with three RBIs, including a home run, as Cincinnati totaled four homers in the game—marking the third time they’ve done so this season. Starter Nick Lodolo also had a strong outing, pitching seven innings with seven strikeouts and recovering well after a shaky start.
Though Friedle’s unusual way of reaching base may not be the most conventional, his resilience and contribution highlight the Reds’ strong performance and growing momentum.
Fan Take: This remarkable and uncommon achievement by TJ Friedle not only adds an interesting statistical footnote but shows the player’s grit and determination, qualities baseball fans admire. It underscores how unpredictable and thrilling baseball can be, reminding us that even adversity on the field can fuel a team’s success and excitement for the sport.
