The phrase “ya never know what you’re going to see at the ballpark,” has never been more true during the 2023 MLB season. And for better or worse, that’s mainly due to the enforcement of new rules like the pitch clock. Players are very aware of the new rules, and while everybody isn’t a fan of the pitch clock, players have done their best to adapt.
And some have had an easier time adapting than others. That didn’t appear to be the case with Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel, well at least on Thursday.
In the ninth inning of Philadelphia’s 5-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kimbrel was called for three pitch timer violations. All three violations came with two strikes, as Kimbrel was trying to hold the ball until the very last moment. Whatever he was trying to do, it worked. Kimbrel went three up, three down with three timer violations.
While he did help some of the Diamondback hitters get back in their respective counts, Arizona went down in order in that half-inning. This allowed the Phillies to clinch their fourth series win in a row, as they took three out of four games from a first-place team on the road.
Craig Kimbrel got called for three pitch clock violations in one half-inning pic.twitter.com/qXbmjACLCh
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 15, 2023
Perhaps Kimbrel is still working out some kinks. In 29 games this season, the Phillies closer has a 5-1 record with 10 saves and a 4.67 ERA across 27 innings. It hasn’t been all bad for Kimbrel, as he joined an exclusive club earlier this season. The 35-year-old became the eighth pitcher in MLB history to record 400 saves.
Those in the world of Major League Baseball reacted to Kimbrel’s wild ninth inning on social media:
Has to be the most pitch clock violations in one inning (matching Kenley Jansen). Still threw a 1-2-3 9th, otherwise this could've been something more! https://t.co/bUhju2xkju
— Charlie Corr (@CorrSports) June 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/beardo_07/status/1669479422406324224?s=20
I think it’s hilarious they’ll call the pitch clock violations but ignore the obvious substance on the bill of his cap https://t.co/Y0DmRJyaZz
— Jacob Westendorf (@JacobWestendorf) June 15, 2023
I was never the biggest pitch clock advocate but at a certain point it falls on the players. To get called for it THREE times when it's mid-June is crazy https://t.co/AASbFfYQEe
— Max Mannis (@MaxMannis) June 15, 2023
And ppl actually get mad at the league for stopping guys from staring into space for an hour.
— Ryan (@BaseballGuyRyan) June 15, 2023
And still got the save 😂😂😂
— Brandon Marsh Stan (@philliesfanmgz) June 15, 2023
Show the full countdown of those violations. McCarthy wasnt looking at Kimbrel for two of them. Should have been strikes instead of balls
— Rum Product Ambassador (@hoohoohahahehe) June 15, 2023
Dudes literally just staring into space just throw the ball
— ThatOneGuyAaron™ (@Dizzle541) June 15, 2023
Perhaps Kimbrel will be a bit quicker to the plate during his next outing.
[Jomboy Media on Twitter; photo from Rob Schumacher/The Republic/USA Today Network]
