HATS OFF
Orioles star ‘deserves a golden hat’ after catching home run with his cap as fans ask ‘how does he keep doing this?’
It all began after Perez was challenged by teammates
BALTIMORE Orioles pitcher Cionel Perez has managed yet another impressive cap catch.
With the Orioles down 3-0 against the Houston Astros, upstepped infielder Ramon Urias to bat at the bottom of the fifth inning.
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A 97-mile-per-hour fastball from Yusei Kikuchi wasn't enough to stop Urias from hammering home a three-run home run to tie the game.
Waiting patiently for the ball in the bullpen was Perez, who held out his hat and caught - prompting yet more cheers from the crowd, as well as teammates.
This marked the sixth time Perez has snagged a homer with his hat, as per MLB.
Ahead of Sunday's game, Perez told ESPN's Eduardo Perez he believed his success catching with his cap came from his time playing in the outfield as a teenager.
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He explained that it all began in 2023 after being told by teammates there's "no chance you'll catch that ball."
Now, it's simply an instant reaction to keep his eye on the ball and grab his hat when the opportunity arises.
The clip swiftly made its way to X where fans were quick to applaud Perez.
"Deserves a golden hat for his contributions!" one fan wrote.
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"How does he keep doing this?" a second asked.
"Who knew MLB players could catch baseballs?" joked a third.
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While another commented, "If only he could pitch as well as he catches home runs in his hat."
Perez is in his third season with Baltimore after stints with the Astros and the Cincinnati Reds.
In January, he signed a one-year deal with the Orioles worth $1.2 million.
So far this season, Perez has made 47 appearances, recording a 3.95 ERA, 37 strikeouts, and 20 walks.
The party atmosphere wouldn't last though, with the Astros taking the win 6-3, while the series finished tied at 2-2.
Baltimore now sits second in the AL East at 76-56, narrowly behind the 77-54 New York Yankees.
Next up is a trip to California to take on the 78-53 Los Angeles Dodgers, who are currently leading the way in the NL West.
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The series will begin at 10:10pm ET on Tuesday, with Wednesday and Thursday's games starting at the same time.
Baltimore will then close out the month at the Colorado Rockies between August 30 and September 1.
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