Oakland, Calif. — Striking out batters is akin to the Old West gunslinger dispatching all those black hats who dare challenge him.
Dramatic and violent, the essence of professional fury.
Michael Fulmer decided Friday to dispense with the Dodge City stuff.
He simply pitched. Cleanly. Efficiently. Skillfully. And, yes, successfully, as in a 4-1 victory by his Tigers against the Oakland A’s.
“Good-looking young pitcher,” said Gene Lamont, who filled in for manager Brad Ausmus as Ausmus took in his daughter’s high-school graduation in San Diego.
“And he’s got an awful good sinker.