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Red Sox's Payton Tolle Has Hilarious Breakdown of Hug With Mariners' Dominic Canzone
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- Red Sox's Payton Tolle Has Hilarious Breakdown of Hug With Mariners' Dominic Canzone
Red Sox's Payton Tolle Has Hilarious Breakdown of Hug With Mariners' Dominic Canzone originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
While he looks intimidating, Payton Tolle has a sweet side. Dominic Canzone found that out during the Red Sox 's game against the Mariners on Monday night.
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The Red Sox came into Monday's matchup on a two-game losing streak, losing three games against the Yankees this past weekend. With about a month left in the regular season, Boston needed to lock in as they prepare for a playoff run.
The team sent one of their most reliable pitchers, Tolle, to the mound against a Mariners team that had lost four straight before this game. With Cal Raleigh starting to get hot after a disappointing season, the team couldn't take anything for granted.
Tolle lasted 5.2 innings in what became a 9-8 extra-inning win for Boston. He struck out six batters, but it's what he did in the third inning that had people talking.
Payton Tolle loves to give hugs
Canzone, the Mariners' DH, bounced a ball back to Tolle in the third inning. Tolle came off the mound and was ready to tag Canzone out before he could run to first.
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Instead of just using his glove, the 6′6″ Tolle, coming in at 250 pounds, used his whole body to apply a light bear hug for the out.
"It just kind of happened," Tolle said . "I was right there in front of him and was like, just bring it in for the big one."
Tolle said he didn't know Canzone, and while it felt awkward, he quickly embraced what was happening in real time. The hug came after Randy Arozarena hit a home run to cut Boston's lead in the game at the time to 3-2.
Tolle is known for giving hugs in the clubhouse, from Roman Anthony to his other teammates. Hugging opponents might have been a first-time affair.
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"The guy gives hugs all the time, so I'm not sure which one you're talking about," Trevor Story said via MLB.com . "But yeah, that was funny, man. Payton's just a special person. He plays the game like a little kid, which I feel like we all should."
Payton Tolle stats 2026
| Category |
Stat |
|---|---|
| Games Started |
23 |
| Record |
8-6 |
| ERA |
3.23 |
| Innings Pitched |
131.0 |
| Strikeouts |
147 |
| Walks |
37 |
| WHIP |
1.10 |
