Austin Slater Throws Slowest Pitch in Yankees History During Loss to Tigers
In an unusual turn of events during a lopsided loss to the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees outfielder Austin Slater found himself on the mound and etched his name in team history. While the Yankees fell 11-1 on Wednesday, Slater managed to throw the slowest pitch in the franchise's Statcast era.
Slater's Pitching Performance
Slater's appearance was notable not just for its novelty, but also for its effectiveness, relatively speaking. He pitched 0.2 innings and remarkably, was the only Yankees pitcher of the night to not allow a run, maintaining a pristine 0.00 ERA. This contrasted sharply with the five pitchers who preceded him, all of whom surrendered at least one run.
The Record-Breaking Slowball
The highlight of Slater's outing was undoubtedly his record-setting pitch. Clocking in at a mere 36.4 miles per hour, it became the slowest pitch thrown by a Yankee since Statcast began tracking data in 2015. According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, this pitch surpassed the previous low mark of 38.5 miles per hour, held by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, by more than two MPH.
Detroit Dominates Yankees in Series
The Tigers have been on a roll against the Yankees this season, showcasing both strong pitching and explosive hitting. Detroit is currently 4-1 against New York and is aiming for a series sweep. The Tigers have significantly outscored the Yankees, 37-9, in their five matchups, boasting a .272 batting average.
Tigers' Offensive Surge
Detroit's offense has been particularly potent, scoring double-digit runs in 16 games this season, with three instances occurring in consecutive games. Manager A.J. Hinch lauded the team's "explosive" performance, highlighting the high-scoring nature of their recent victories. Key contributors include former Yankee Gleyber Torres, who drove in the first three runs on Wednesday, and home runs from Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, and Colt Keith.
Yankees Struggle Against Playoff Contenders
The Yankees, amidst a stretch of games against playoff-caliber teams, have struggled to find consistency at the plate. Despite winning 11 of 14 games recently, New York has been limited to just 12 hits in the series against Detroit, batting a meager .198 against them this season. Individual struggles are evident, with players like Giancarlo Stanton enduring extended slumps.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the Yankees remain in contention, sitting three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East and tied with Boston for the first wild-card spot. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the frustrating nature of the loss, emphasizing the need to regroup and prepare for upcoming games. Cam Schlittler is slated to start for the Yankees in the series finale, while the Tigers will deploy a bullpen game, led by opener Tyler Holton and bulk reliever Sawyer Gipson-Long.
| Team | Record | Runs Scored (Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Tigers | 84-62 | 37 |
| New York Yankees | 80-65 | 9 |