With the game tied at two in the top of the sixth and two outs, Rafael Devers steps in with a runner on first. The first pitch misses low and outside. The next one is even further off the plate. The batter is locked in, expecting a hittable 2-0 fastball. Instead, he gets a well-placed pitch that surprises him. He voices his frustration, then tips his cap to a good pitch. The count tightens to 2-2.
Cleveland’s Cal Quantrill mixes it up, changing speeds and hitting spots. Devers swings through a tough pitch, and the ump calls strike three. A brief, heated reaction follows, but cooler heads prevail. The hitter admits he went a little overboard, while the catcher and pitcher accept the apology. It’s a tense moment, but it ends with mutual respect on both sides. Good pitch. Good baseball. Move on.