A seventh-inning at-bat for Philadelphia Phillies player Trea Turner was momentarily interrupted Tuesday night when a green laser was shined into his face during the team's 5-0 home victory over the Washington Nationals.
Home plate umpire Tom Hanahan noticed the distraction and stopped play as the beam hit Turner's upper body and face ahead of an 0-2 pitch. "A laser was shining on your chest," Hanahan informed Turner, who appeared confused by the stoppage. The delay lasted less than a minute.
While spectators in the first-base and right-field areas were observed pointing, no fan was identified or ejected from the game. "What kind of person brings a laser to a game?" asked NBC Sports Philadelphia commentator Jon Kruk during the telecast. The use of laser pointers can be dangerous, posing a risk to players' eyes and creating a significant distraction.
Turner showed no apparent ill effects from the incident. He proceeded to hit an RBI single shortly after play resumed, driving in the Phillies' final run of the game. Pitcher Jesus Luzardo was credited as the star of the game for Philadelphia, throwing eight shutout innings, with Caleb Kilian closing out the ninth inning.
The Phillies, now 61-53, are four games behind the Cubs for the top Wild Card spot. The team acquired pitcher Brooks Raley and infielder Luis Arraez prior to the trade deadline in an effort to improve their performance.