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SAN DIEGO — Shintaro Fujinami had by no means recorded a save. Not in 252 appearances for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan or through the first 43 appearances of his 2023 MLB rookie season, which has been break up between the A’s and Orioles.
But Baltimore wanted Fujinami for a save alternative within the tenth inning on Sunday in Seattle. There weren’t many different choices on the time within the membership’s closely taxed bullpen.
Although Fujinami has electrical stuff, his command has been spotty at instances since he was traded to the Orioles on July 19. So the 29-year-old Japanese right-hander was both going to document his first save in spectacular style or issues might have shortly spiraled in a unique route.
With an computerized runner at second base and Baltimore holding a two-run lead, Fujinami started the outing by throwing three consecutive balls to Dylan Moore. That sequence prompted a fast go to from catcher James McCann.
“I just reminded him that he’s got nasty stuff. Just fill it up,” McCann stated. “I said, ‘These hitters don’t want to face you. You throw strikes, we’re going to get out of this.’”
“He gave me a good breather after three balls in a row,” Fujinami added by way of interpreter Issei Kamada. “He told me to relax and just take deep breaths.”
The pep speak labored. Fujinami threw three consecutive strikes to fan Moore, then retired each Mike Ford and Julio Rodríguez with the intention to seal the Orioles’ 5-3 win and notch his first save.
The pep speak labored. Fujinami threw three consecutive strikes to fan Moore, then retired each Mike Ford and Julio Rodríguez with the intention to seal the Orioles’ 5-3 win and notch his first save.
Fujinami threw 12 pitches through the look, 9 of which had been four-seam fastballs that averaged between 99-101.6 mph. He’s able to getting much more velocity, as he hit 102.6 mph throughout his Aug. 6 outing towards the Mets.
However, the important thing to Fujinami’s success is whether or not he can land these high-octane choices for strikes. He did so on six of his ultimate 9 pitches in Sunday’s outing.
“Great for him, great for us. If we can get him over the plate, it’s going to be a huge weapon for us,” supervisor Brandon Hyde stated following Sunday’s recreation. “He’s got unbelievable stuff, and we’ve seen that.”
Since becoming a member of Baltimore, Fujinami has a 4.76 ERA in 11 appearances. He labored one other scoreless inning in Tuesday’s 10-3 loss to the Padres.
In the six outings during which Fujinami has thrown greater than 50% of his pitches for strikes, he has a 1.13 ERA. In the 5 during which that charge has been at 50% or decrease, he has a 13.50 ERA.
The Orioles are hoping Fujinami turns into constant sufficient to be trusted in high-leverage spots down the stretch. And if extra save alternatives come up, he’ll be prepared.
“I didn’t think about anything when I got out on the mound,” Fujinami stated. “That happened to be the [10th] inning, and I just made my pitches.”
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