Hopefully Jose Reyes was wearing a cup on this pickoff attempt

Jose Reyes was hit by a throw in an area where no man should ever have to be hit. The Toronto Blue Jays shortstop was diving back to first base after a pickoff attempt by Tampa Bay Rays starter Chris Archer in the fifth on Sunday when he was hit in the twig and berries.

As badly as I feel for the guy about the unfortunate placement of the throw, I have to say that I am a little perplexed at the whole situation. I mean how did Archer manage to squeak that ball into that spot and nail Reyes in the nuts? Think about the angle we’re talking about. With Reyes diving back to the bag, most of his body was facing down toward the ground. There was only a brief moment where his boys were even exposed to the throw. Yet Archer somehow managed to pop him. The sheer physics of the situation are mindblowing.

Oh, and really sorry about your nads and all, Reyes.

Here’s a GIF of the pickoff via Hardball Talk:

Reyes, being the true trooper that he is, stayed in the game. He went 2-for-3 with two walks and a stolen base. His 2-run double in the ninth gave the Jays their only runs in the 4-2 loss.