Facing MacKenzie Gore is no easy task, especially lefty on lefty. Gore has a robust 36.2% strikeout rate and a K-BB% of 28%. The swinging strike rate is 15.8% while the chase rate is 33.4%.
In his first at-bat against Gore, J. P. Crawford popped out to shortstop on the fourth pitch. In the third inning, he popped out to left field on the fourth pitch again.
With two on, no outs and the Mariners trailing 2-0, Crawford stepped into the batter’s box in the bottom of the sixth inning against Gore for the third time. The first pitch was a slider over the heart of the plate for a called strike. Crawford swung at the next pitch, a 95 mph fastball up-and-away. The third pitch was another fastball, which was clearly inches outside, but called for strike three.
Crawford immediately argued the call and was subsequently ejected from the game.
Leo Rivas was the substitue.
