In the 13th inning of a 1-1 game against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, Salvador Perez hit a single to right field. Going to the opposite field was a good sign; when games go extra innings — especially on hot days — hitters are tempted to try to end things with one swing. Put a ball in the cheap seats, take a shower and go home.
That being the case, smart pitchers do not throw a hittable pitch on the inside part of the plate once a game goes to extra innings; make the other team beat you with singles the other way — don’t let a hitter looking to pull the ball beat you with a home run.