Another Arizona pitcher hits bird with pitch

Randy Johnson is no longer the only Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher to ever strike a bird with a pitch.

Before the Diamondbacks’ afternoon game against the Oakland Athletics, pitcher Zac Gallen was warming up in the outfield when he fired a curveball toward the catcher.

However, before the pitch reached its intended target, an unsuspecting bird got caught in the crossfire and was struck by the pitch.

The incident was captured by Bally Sports Arizona. Warning for anyone who would prefer not to see a bird get hit.

Zac Gallen really hit a bird with a curveball. pic.twitter.com/T6XOZudoMH

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 17, 2023

This is, of course, the second time that a member of the Diamondbacks has (presumably) ended the life of an avian spectator. In 2001, Randy Johnson seemingly exploded a bird mid-flight when it flew right into a pitch during a spring training game.

It’s an unfortunate end for the bird, but hopefully, Gallen doesn’t get the same treatment that Johnson received from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), who reportedly considered pressing charges against him on the bird’s behalf for animal cruelty, despite the fact that it was obviously an accident.

Gallen came into Wednesday with a 0.855 WHIP and has a 2.35 ERA in nine starts and 57.1 innings. He’s also tallied just eight walks compared to 70 strikeouts. Hopefully, people can get back to focusing on his pitching prowess soon.

[Bally Sports Arizona]