Minor league baseball game is delayed by bizarre animal encounter… after a TURTLE wanders into the outfield

A Single-A baseball game in Florida was postponed after an unexpected animal wandered into the outfield.

Play between the Bradenton Marauders and the St. Lucie Mets was briefly interrupted when a turtle was spotted crawling across the grass at Bradenton’s LECOM Park on Saturday afternoon.

The reptile stunned the crowd with his speed during the second inning, eluding Marauders players Sergio Campana and Esmerlyn Valdez.

One of the team’s relievers, Magdiel Cotto, finally came to the rescue when he picked up the turtle and delivered it to the bullpen.

The beast was kept in the bullpen for a few innings before being released into a nearby pond, Marauders broadcaster Thomas Zinzarella told The Athletic.

The reptile was spotted walking across the grass of Bradenton’s LECOM Park on Saturday

“As Cotto also told me, I would say it’s a first and a bucket list item,” Zinzarella added.

It took a few hours for the Marauders’ MLB affiliate, the Pittsburgh Pirates, to call up Paul Skenes for his debut in the major leagues.

The former Louisiana State University pitcher was joined by his gymnast girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, who supported him in a custom Pirates jacket.

“There were some nerves at first, but I turned that into excitement rather than nerves, and I just have the most confidence I’ve ever had in him,” she told Sportsnet Pittsburgh during the game.

“I just trust him and what he puts into it, and I’m just so excited,” she continued.

“It’s great, the support here is great. Pittsburgh was so welcoming. All I see are people wearing Air Force stuff, LSU stuff, Skenes jerseys.”

Dunne also revealed that she and the No. 1 overall prospect had to hit the road immediately after he got the call from the Pirates.

Sergio Campana, Esmerlyn Valdez and Magdiel Cotto were all spotted watching the turtle

In the major leagues, Olivia Dunne attended Paul Skenes’ MLB debut

I just have the most confidence in him ever,” the gymnast cheered during the competition

“All I can say is I think this is the fastest I’ve ever caught in my life,” she said.

“We woke up from a nap, he had a few missed calls and he got a call. He said “let’s pack” and off we went. It was very exciting!’

On the field, Skenes enjoyed an impressive debut on the mound, striking out seven in his first four innings.

He was pulled out in the fifth and received a standing ovation from the crowd – immediately after they booed the decision to take him out of the match.