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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Andrew Joseph

Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan stunned MLB fans with a mesmerizing frisbee-like changeup

Shane McClanahan MLB Rays (Organization) Rob Refsnyder

The Tampa Bay Rays are off to one of the best starts in MLB history with 11 straight wins to open the season. And when you see what pitcher Shane McClanahan is throwing out there, it’s easy to see why.

The Rays took care of the Boston Red Sox, 7-2, on Tuesday to get within two games of the MLB record for wins to start the season (13 by the 1982 Braves and 1987 Brewers). McClanahan was dominant on the night, allowing one run in five innings on two hits and nine strikeouts. Of those nine strikeouts, none was more impressive than the pitch used to retire Rob Refsnyder in the fourth inning.

The 88 mph changeup appeared to be cutting towards the plate before breaking late to the outside with 19 inches of run. For that pitch to come from a left-hander, it really wasn’t fair. By the time Refsnyder realized what that pitch was doing, he had already committed to the swing and had no chance of making contact.

It seriously doesn’t get much nastier than that pitch.

MLB fans were justifiably impressed. He made Refsnyder look silly out there.

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This was how Twitter reacted

It remains a miracle that MLB hitters are even capable of making contact with pitches like that being thrown.

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