Gregory Soto was one pitch away from walking TylerSoderstrom to load the bases in the ninth inning of a one-run game when he dotted a 3-1 sinker at the bottom of the strike zone.
Eager to reach first on nothing more than a free pass, Soderstrom challenged the pitch, which was upheld after replay review. That particular challenge was a sign of something in the eyes of Soto.
“He was trying to just walk," Soto said following the Pirates' 6-5 win over the Athletics here tonight at Sutter Health Park. "He didn’t want to swing."
That's why Soto followed with another sinker, this time at 99 mph and once again dotted at the bottom of the zone:
Gregory Soto strikes out Tyler Soderstrom looking and tells him to challenge that one, too
"He showed me that he was scared," Soto said. "I’m not scared, so hit it.”
Soto, who got JacobWilson to fly out to end the game, took pride in being able to overcome allowing back-to-back one-out singles to NickKurtz and SheaLangeliers and preserve a much-needed win. Sure it didn't come without a little suspense, but he proved to be plenty good enough to secure his 11th save of the season.
"In the situation we're in right now, it's hard to find wins," Soto said, referring to a stretch in which the Pirate have won just three of their last 11 games dating back to June 5. "I know I have to try to keep that lead no matter what."
THE ASYLUM
Soto on matchup with Soderstrom: 'I'm not scared'
Gregory Soto was one pitch away from walking Tyler Soderstrom to load the bases in the ninth inning of a one-run game when he dotted a 3-1 sinker at the bottom of the strike zone.
Eager to reach first on nothing more than a free pass, Soderstrom challenged the pitch, which was upheld after replay review. That particular challenge was a sign of something in the eyes of Soto.
“He was trying to just walk," Soto said following the Pirates' 6-5 win over the Athletics here tonight at Sutter Health Park. "He didn’t want to swing."
That's why Soto followed with another sinker, this time at 99 mph and once again dotted at the bottom of the zone:
"He showed me that he was scared," Soto said. "I’m not scared, so hit it.”
Soto, who got Jacob Wilson to fly out to end the game, took pride in being able to overcome allowing back-to-back one-out singles to Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers and preserve a much-needed win. Sure it didn't come without a little suspense, but he proved to be plenty good enough to secure his 11th save of the season.
"In the situation we're in right now, it's hard to find wins," Soto said, referring to a stretch in which the Pirate have won just three of their last 11 games dating back to June 5. "I know I have to try to keep that lead no matter what."
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