For the most part, the Atlanta Braves hitters decisively won the battle against Miami Marlins pitchers on Wednesday. There was an exception, though. And it was glorious.
With Atlanta leading 14-6, Miami called upon catcher Jacob Stallings to pitch the top of the ninth inning. Kevin Pillar led the inning off with an infield single but was quickly erased when the next batter, Sam Hilliard, hit into a double play. That set Stallings up for a showdown against superstar, Ronald Acuña Jr.
Stallings started Acuña off with a pair of curveballs — which were effectively eephus pitches. Acuña took both, the first for a strike and the second for a ball. Then, Stallings changed gears and threw a fastball in the strike zone, but up and away. Acuña offered at the pitch but must have been looking for another sub-50 mile-per-hour curveball, because he was late on the 78 mile-per-hour offering, fouling it away.
On the 1-2 pitch, Stallings went back to the heater. Only this was to the bottom part of the zone. It was also much faster, clocking in at 85. Acuña was frozen on the pitch and struck out looking. Both players couldn’t help but smile.
Ronald Acuña Jr. vs. Jacob Stallings.
A matchup you don't want to miss. ❤️⚾ pic.twitter.com/pu8uLppGwi
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 4, 2023
Baseball fans also loved the exchange, as well as the reactions of both players.
Nice eephus pitch! https://t.co/JaieuMlUdt
— Nathan Wurtzel (@NathanWurtzel) May 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/LongLostTJ_/status/1653969108713496579
let jacob stallings pitch more https://t.co/Zya9JjKFIE
— ryan (@hoodieglasnow) May 4, 2023
Ronnie couldn’t stop laughing long enough to really try to hit the ball. Stallings can now go tell all the pitchers he struck out Acuña, the best in baseball & say “what likes it’s hard to do?” https://t.co/NzhX1M7WIW
— Jess (@braves4life27) May 4, 2023
While the Marlins probably hope that no game gets enough out of hand to see another showdown between the two, other MLB fans would likely relish it.
[Cut4]
