ATLANTA — Taylor Ward was at the plate in the eighth inning of a tie game against the Houston Astros earlier this month, with runners at first and second and two outs. A single against Astros righty Rafael Montero would give the Angels the lead and bring them just three outs away from winning the series against the best team in the division.
Ward had seen two sliders from Montero, and the count was 1-and-1. Montero then poured a 95 mph fastball over the heart of the plate.
Ward let it go.