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Padres hitter got clocked by 97-mph fastball to the chin
by Renzo Pocholo Salao
A scary scene happened Saturday as San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth got rocked by a pitch in the face during an at-bat against the Los Angeles Angels.
Cronenworth had a runner in scoring position opposite Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi with two outs in the top of the 5th inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. Kikuchi’s 1-2 pitch was a 96.5-mph fastball that went straight to Cronenworth’s jaw in a play that could have resulted in a serious injury.
Scary moment as Jake Cronenworth was hit in the face with a pitch. He walked it off to first base pic.twitter.com/3ykXiHD8ZL
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 19, 2026
The Padres’ 2-time All-Star must have a beard made of steel, because he just shook off the HBP and took his spot at first base. Kikuchi managed to strike out Ramon Laureano to end the scoring threat four pitches later.
Cronenworth got on base all three times he went up to bat. He went 1-for-1 with two walks and a run scored in the Padres 4-1 win over the Angels. One of those walks cost him a lot more than the other.
Jake has had quite a bit of bad luck on the field of late. Some fans remember Cronenworth’s glove completely breaking down while trying to make a crucial play against the Los Angeles Dodgers a few seasons ago.
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