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Tigers catcher James McCann unintentionally struck a bird perched on protective netting with a foul ball off his bat in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves on Friday.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Warning: An animal was harmed in the making of this game.

A foul ball off the bat of Detroit Tigers rookie catcher James McCann struck a bird in the first inning Friday afternoon in a spring exhibition game between the Tigers and the Atlanta Braves.

The bird was perched on protective netting behind home plate at Champion Stadium at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. and was spotted falling in the lap of a fan seated in the first row behind home plate.

The bird is believed to have survived, according to an announcement made over the stadium speakers later in the game.

"I saw everyone making a big commotion, and obviously people were still yelling when I stepped back into the box," McCann said. "But I had no idea what happened."

McCann said he didn't see his first-pitch foul ball strike the bird, and was later informed by umpire Joe West following his at-bat when he reached first base on a single.

McCann Hits Bird

"(West) said he didn't know what was funnier," McCann said, "seeing the bird get hit or the woman's reaction when it landed in her lap."

McCann said the incident brought back memories of the dove that was struck and killed nearly a dozen years ago after flying in front of former Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson's throw to home plate.

WDIV Local 4 in Detroit posted a video of the incident on Facebook. The Atlanta Braves' radio call of the incident can be found here.

"It's never good to have something die that doesn't deserve to die," said McCann, who said he didn't want to make light of the incident. "But what are the chances?"

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