THROW, DON'T THINK:

Game-changer: Zumaya explains pitch: Offspeed toss belted for late homer a curious decision (Jason Beck, 6/24/09, MLB.com)

Joel Zumaya wowed fans at Comerica Park with fastballs that ranged from 102 to allegedly 104 mph. He briefly broke their hearts with an 85-mph changeup.

How Zumaya's eighth-inning showdown in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Cubs came to that point, with Micah Hoffpauir seemingly sitting on an offspeed pitch for a two-run homer to pull the Cubs ahead, was a series of calls and shake-offs that led to Zumaya getting the pitch he wanted, but paying for it.

Never get beat on your third pitch.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 25, 2009 6:18 AM