Rays' Phillips hilariously tells Pache to hit weight room

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips is arguably the funniest player in MLB, and when he was asked to pitch in the Athletics' 13-2 win at Tropicana Field on Monday night, he didn't disappoint.

Rocking an unusual windup, Phillips was lobbing in 45 mph pitches to A's hitters.

A's rookie Cristian Pache was the first batter to face Phillips in the top of the eighth inning and watched the first two pitches float by. On the third pitch, Pache took a good whack and launched a deep fly ball to left that was caught at the wall by Harold Ramirez for the first out of the inning.

That's when the comedian in Phillips came out.

Yes, Phillips jokingly told the 23-year-old Pache to hit the weight room.

To Pache's credit, he found the whole thing pretty amusing as he jogged back to the A's dugout.

Athletics

Find the latest Athletics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.

Report: Gelof to begin season on IL, Muncy makes Athletics' roster

Athletics, Kings and Sharks games now available on Peacock with NBC Sports California add-on subscription

Phillips gave up an infield single to Tony Kemp but then got Elvis Andrus to ground into a double play to end the eighth.

Surprisingly, Phillips wasn't done pitching as Rays manager Kevin Cash sent the 27-year-old back out to pitch the top of the ninth inning -- and things got even weirder.

Seth Brown popped a 49 mph pitch into foul territory near the A's dugout and Phillips made one of the most incredible plays you will ever see a pitcher make.

From there, Phillips' night got worse as the A's loaded the bases before Sheldon Neuse crushed a grand slam to left field.

The Rays entered Monday's contest as the only undefeated team left in MLB, but the A's (2-2) changed that, jumping all over Tampa Bay in the first two innings with four runs in each frame.

RELATED: Pache, Cusick top list of talented new A's prospects

It wasn't a great night for the Rays (3-1), but at least they gave the fans in attendance and those watching at home something to laugh about at the end of the night.

Contact Us