After 16 innings, the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Los Angeles Angels in a game that lasted six hours and 19 minutes.
The big story out of this game was not the home plate umpire’s controversial call on Mike Trout’s two (almost three) RBI double that would have ended the game in the 15th inning. The big story was Stevie Wilkerson.
Wilkerson is a center fielder for the Baltimore Orioles. He also served as the closer for this 16 inning game. His fastest pitches topped out at a whopping 56 miles per hour, and his average speed a meek 54.3 miles per hour.
But, this is not the first time Wilkerson pitched for the Orioles.
Since the All-Star Break, Wilkerson allowed two hits (including one home run) and one run in four innings pitched.
His slow pitches are a change for major leaguers who are used to seeing between 80 and 100 MPH pitches. That is why he is effective.
Wilkerson retired Albert Pujols for the final out and recorded the first save by a position player in MLB history (since 1969, when the stat began).
He threw a total of 14 pitches.
The Orioles move to a 33-69 record on the season, while the Los Angeles Angels move to a 54-50 record.
