called strike

He said after the game it’s not unusual to question a close called strike.

Then, after a called strike on a fastball at the knees evened the count 2-and-2, catcher Will Smith dialed up another curveball from Yamamoto.

The milestone came in the sixth inning on his 100th pitch of the night, a 1-and-2 slider to the Chicago White Sox’ Vinny Capra for a called strike.

So with his pitch count over the 100-pitch century mark and his internal tank of energy running of fumes, Castillo emptied what was left with a perfectly placed 97-mph fastball on the outside corner of the plate to freeze Evan Carter for a called strike three, ending the sixth inning.

He started No. 9 hitter Leody Tavares with a called strike but then walked him on four straight fastballs, the first high and the next three outside.