Andrew Chafin came into the game looking to protect a one-run lead for the Tigers. He got David Fry to a 0-1 count, then threw a fastball low and away. Fry lifted it into the air, and the wind took over. Despite weak exit velocity and a common launch angle, the ball kept drifting and somehow cleared the wall for a game-tying home run. Chafin stood on the mound stunned, mouthing “how the [expletive] did that get out?”. His reaction said it all.
Back in the dugout, he chucked his glove, saw it bounce back, then kicked it across the concrete. The frustration was clear, only broken by a brief apology for almost hitting someone. An overlay showed every ball hit this year with the same launch angle and exit velocity. All but one stayed short of the warning track. The wind carried Fry’s ball just enough, giving Chafin a harsh lesson in ballpark luck. His reactions — from disbelief to frustration — matched a moment that made no sense on paper.