Casey Schmitt saw everything Ryan Feltner had to offer. A sinker, slider, and curveball all fell out of the zone. Now history was on the line.
With a 3-0 count, Dave Flemming said over the KNBR airwaves that it was drumroll time.
No team has taken fewer walks this season than the Giants. Consider Schmitt the ringleader.
His last base on balls came May 24, almost 50 days ago. The World Cup was still weeks away from starting. Taylor and Travis were still engaged. Gas was under $3.00. (No it wasn’t.)
Schmitt met the moment with grace and poise. After 173 plate appearance without a free pass—the longest streak by a Giants position player in 62 years, per Andrew Baggarly—he watched a changeup float by.
Ball four.
Ninety feet never felt so good.
Up next: Robbie Ray (8-6, 3.45 ERA) takes the mound at Oracle Park, and who knows, it could be for the last time before he puts on another uniform. He’ll face Tanner Gordon (0-2, 6.95 ERA) at 7:15 pm.
I’m hitting a new low. Watching soccer instead of this dumpster fire.