Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle doesn’t discriminate when it comes to doling out hugs. He showed that during a moment in Monday’s series opener against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass.
In the top of the third inning, Tolle faced Seattle designated hitter Dominic Canzone with one out. On the second pitch Tolle threw to the Mariners hitter, Canzone hit a chopper back toward the pitcher. Tolle fielded the ball and sprinted to first base before slowing down and simply offering Canzone a hug for the out.
Here is a video of that play.
Payton Tolle just hugged (yep, you read that right) Dominic Canzone for the out 🤣
— NESN (@NESN) August 31, 2026
Tolle's just having fun out there 👏 pic.twitter.com/J3U9bQTNlb
Tolle had just given up a home run to Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena before facing Canzone, but he clearly did not let the frustration from that play stop him from making a kind, impromptu gesture to the next batter.
Tolle might have shared more hugs after the game, as the Red Sox won in thrilling fashion, with Trevor Story hitting a walk-off RBI single to give Boston a 9-8 win in extra innings.
The 23-year-old left-handed Tolle pitched for 5 ⅔ innings and allowed four earned runs on six hits with two free passes issued and six strikeouts.
On the season, Tolle has an 8-6 record and a 3.23 ERA through 23 starts.
