The Baltimore Orioles have the American League’s best record, and they cruised to an easy win on Monday night against the White Sox. But you have to appreciate the honesty from Orioles reliever Shintaro Fujinami.
He knew they won the game on a generous call.
With the Orioles up by nine runs in the ninth inning, Fujinami got two quick outs and went ahead 0-2 against pinch hitter Trayce Thompson. That was when Fujinami went with an 85 mph sweeper just off the plate outside, but home plate umpire Ron Kulpa rung up Thompson on strikes to end the game.
The pitch looked outside enough to have Fujinami asking catcher Adley Rutschman if it was actually a strike.
Shintaro Fujinami, Paint-ish 85mph Sweeper.
Asking Adley if it was a little off the plate. 😂 pic.twitter.com/MgNUuOWMck
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 29, 2023
I mean, that exchange was so wholesome.
Fujinami seemed convinced that the pitch was outside (it was), but Rutschman appeared to say something like, “No, it was beautiful.” To be fair, it was a nice pitch, and you can’t really blame Kulpa for calling the pitch a strike in that situation (0-2 count, two outs in the ninth of a 9-0 game). It was a “let’s go home” kind of call.
Fans enjoyed that postgame conversation as well. Every pitcher needs a supportive teammate like Rutschman. He wanted Fujinami to focus on the great pitch and not the call.
This was how Twitter reacted
Adley pumping his guy up after this is reason 2657 why we all love Adley. #Birdland https://t.co/IJXdRnrskg
— Jakes Takes (@Rogue_Chats) August 29, 2023
Adley responding “it was beautiful”. 🥹🥹🥹 This team. 🥹🥹🥹 https://t.co/XmhMCFI3ZD
— Heather Linington-Noble (@AlainnFocail) August 29, 2023
Adley: "It was beautiful." 🥹🧡#Birdland #baltimorebattery #Orioles #LetsGoOs #DongCity #CodeOrange https://t.co/S2NpIo8ZMI
— The Baltimore Battery (@TheBmoreBattery) August 29, 2023
Omg I love this dude sooo much lol https://t.co/THm3AHGSXz
— x- The Real Rams Rapp (@TheOtherGarth) August 29, 2023
Adley to Fuji: “it was beautiful” 🥹 https://t.co/m87BswIe7D
— KS1 👯♀️ (she/her) (@KimSchuss) August 29, 2023
Idk what we as the city of Baltimore did to deserve Adley, but by god am I happy we have him. https://t.co/3y0Rp885Gl
— OROY, Zay Flowers (@StephenMeier18) August 29, 2023
I’m crying 😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/xpgTclGhmJ
— Dolph 🐬🐬 (@zzGodSpeed) August 29, 2023
best people ever https://t.co/1Soy3dDWum
— doolittle (@doolitty420) August 29, 2023
Adley 🥹 https://t.co/z0mVPTdONa
— Casey (@CaseyBNewman) August 29, 2023
