Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck embarrasses Mariners' Ty France with frisbee-like slider
It's almost difficult to comprehend just how tough it is to hit big-league pitching. Everything about it seems impossible — the velocity, movement, precision. Like, what are batters supposed to do?
With all that in mind, you really have to feel for Mariners first baseman Ty France. He looked absolutely helpless against Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck.
The rookie right-hander was on the mound Wednesday for Boston, and Houck was dealing early through four innings — though he'd get pulled in the fifth. But he particularly gave France (not the country) a tough time.
In the second inning, Houck got France to strike out swinging on an 86 mph slider that seemingly broke three feet off the plate. Baseball is hard.
Before we laugh at that swing, it’s important to remember that France isn’t a bad hitter by any means. He’s the Mariners’ leading hitter! And still, Houck managed to get him to swing at that pitch.
Baseballs aren’t supposed to move like that.