Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Whit Merrifield (1) reacts after being hit by a pitch as Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) looks on in the fifth inning during Game 2 of the Wild Card series for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Rogers Centre. John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Blue Jays' Whit Merrifield leaves Game 2 of ALWC series after taking pitch to the head

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/8/22

Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Whit Merrifield exited Game 2 of the American League Wildcard series against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday after being hit by a pitch.

In the fifth inning, a slider got away from Mariners' reliever Diego Castillo, hitting Merrifield in the head. As Merrifield stood at home plate processing what happened, he threw his bat in disgust before sending Castillo a mean-spirited glare.

Whit Merrifield stayed in the game after being hit in the helmet with a pitch. pic.twitter.com/qevkCVMe4j
— ESPN (@espn) October 8, 2022

Merrifield wasn't the only one perturbed by hit-by-pitch. Castillo also drew the ire of the Rogers Centre crowd and the Blue Jays dugout. Manager John Schneider flew onto the field after the hit-by-pitch, questioning the umpire crew about Castillo's intention.

On the surface, the Blue Jays had reason to be suspicious.

Castillo had just entered the game, plunking Merrifield with the first pitch he threw. Castillo replaced Paul Sewald, who the Blue Jays chased from the game after giving up three runs, increasing Toronto's lead to 8-1. Also, Sewald had hit Teoscar Hernandez two batters before exiting the game. At the time, Hernandez was 2-for-2 at the plate, with both hits being home runs.

Merrifield briefly stayed in the game, but the Blue Jays decided to pull the outfielder in favor of Raimel Tapia in the top of the sixth inning.

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