Soto's Clutch At-Bat: A Pitch-by-Pitch Look
It's the bottom of the ninth. Two outs. Bases loaded. The game is on the line. And up steps Juan Soto.
This isn't just any game, folks. This is the World Series, the biggest stage in baseball. The tension is thicker than a Texas summer.
Let's rewind the clock and take a pitch-by-pitch look at one of the most memorable at-bats in recent World Series history.
The Set-Up:
The Washington Nationals were locked in a nail-biter with the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series. The score was tied 2-2.
Soto, the young slugger known for his incredible talent and even more incredible hair, came to bat with the bases loaded and two outs. The pressure? Immense.
The Duel Begins:
The Astros' closer, Roberto Osuna, was on the mound. This was a battle of titans.
Pitch 1: Osuna threw a fastball, painting the inside corner for a strike. Soto, unfazed, watched the pitch with laser focus.
Pitch 2: Osuna went back to the fastball, this time throwing it a bit higher and outside. Soto took it for a ball.
Pitch 3: Osuna tried to mix it up with a slider. Soto fouled it off, the sound echoing through the stadium.
Pitch 4: Osuna came back with another fastball, inside again. Soto let it go by for a ball.
Pitch 5: Now it was time for the slider again. This one was a bit lower and tighter. Soto swung, but missed. Two strikes.
The Moment of Truth:
The tension was palpable. The entire stadium held its breath.
Pitch 6: Osuna went back to the fastball, hoping to catch Soto off guard. It was a high pitch, but Soto was ready. He swung, sending a laser shot into right field.
The crowd erupted.
The ball sailed over the outstretched glove of the Astros' right fielder, and the Nationals poured onto the field.
The Aftermath:
Soto's clutch two-out, bases-loaded double in the bottom of the ninth sealed the victory for the Nationals, making them World Series champions.
This at-bat wasn't just a moment in baseball history; it was a testament to the power of believing in yourself even when the stakes are higher than ever.
And that, folks, is why Soto's at-bat is one for the ages.