MILWAUKEE –– With two runners on base in a tie game in the third inning, Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle faced Milwaukee Brewers star shortstop Willy Adames.
Even though his fastball is his best pitch and even though his fastball velocity was better on Tuesday than it had been all season, Mahle didn’t throw a single fastball to Adames. Mahle’s splitter has been a consistent weapon to strikeouts throughout his career, but after falling behind 1-0 in the count, Mahle didn’t throw that pitch again.
Mahle threw two straight sliders – his third best pitch – and Adames crushed a three-run homer.