Little Leaguer Takes a Very Painful One for the Team

No matter if it’s thrown by a little leaguer, a Triple-A hurler or an MLB ace, being hit with a 77-MPH pitch hurts … especially if it hits south of the equator.

Unfortunately for Puerto Rico’s Angel Vazquez, that’s exactly where lefty Arod McKenzie plunked him in the fifth inning of an elimination game Monday at the Little League World Series.

Vazquez was squaring around to bunt when the first pitch of the at-bat nailed him and sent him doubling over in pain.

My prayers are with Angel Vazquez and his family at this time. #CupCheck pic.twitter.com/GYnhmGLBSA

— Connor Morgan (@connormorgan623) August 20, 2018

Vazquez had to leave the game, but his team went on to win 3-1.

Hopefully for the young second baseman, there was plenty of ice in the dugout.

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Evan Bleier

Evan is a senior editor with InsideHook who earned a master’s degree in journalism from NYU and has called Brooklyn home since 2006. A fan of Boston sports, Nashville hot chicken and Kentucky bourbon, Evan has had his work published in publications including “Maxim,” Bleacher Report and “The Daily Mail.”