And as the league's top closing pitcher, Takeshima Shinya had a simple plan: for a batter who easily swings at bad balls, increasing the proportion of pitches on the edge of the strike zone could easily put the opponent at a disadvantage.
The first pitch, an outside low breaking ball, T-Okada chose to swing and foul it off, 0 balls and 1 strike.
The second pitch, a pressing inside straight pitch, the batter had no choice but to let it go, 0 balls and 2 strikes.
The third pitch, an outside high straight pitch, this time T-Okada restrained himself from swinging, and the umpire made no call, 1 ball and 2 strikes.
Staring at the signal passed by Takeshima Shinya, Sarfate nodded, and after a moment's adjustment, the baseball was thrown with an arm swing: outside direction, change-up!
By the time T-Okada reacted, his rhythm had already been disrupted by the dropping ball path, and all that awaited him was the fate of a missed swing.
"Swing and miss strikeout!"
Two outs!!
