The pitch-clock era in MLB began on Opening Day Thursday, and it didn’t take long to claim its first victim.
More pitch-clock violations will come, but you always remember your first. Unfortunately for Chicago Cubs starter Marcus Stroman, he now holds the dubious honor as the first pitcher to be penalized for a pitch-clock violation in a regular season game.
In the top of the third inning, facing Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, Stroman failed to get a pitch off before the pitch clock hit zeros, running the count to 2-and-2. Yelich eventually walked, so the violation had an impact on the at-bat. In the end, Stroman got out of the inning unscathed, forcing Rowdy Tellez to ground into an inning-ending double play three batters later.
After wiggling his way out of danger, Stroman’s teammates picked him up, scoring the only four runs they’d need to top the Brewers.
The third inning’s excitement was really the only threat Stroman faced on the day. The 31-year-old cruised the rest of the way, allowing three hits and adding eight strikeouts in six scoreless innings.
Stroman is now the answer to an unusual trivia question. But, his error ended up being an insignificant moment from an otherwise gem of a performance.
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