MILWAUKEE -- Ian Seymour kept testing Sal Frelick late Saturday night, almost dismissive of what the Brewers outfielder might be capable of producing. But Frelick has never been one to shrink when his mettle is challenged. His competitive fire only burns hotter.
In the bottom of the sixth inning in Game 2 of the World Series, with the Brewers on the brink of erasing a four-run deficit for the second time this postseason, the lefthanded Rays reliever kept feeding Frelick fastballs. All nine pitches of the at-bat, in fact. Alternating between two variations of the pitch for much of it.
"I'm an eight-hole hitter," Frelick said, detailing the number of fastballs he saw. You have to assume a guy like that is coming at you." Frelick kept fighting, just as he had his whole career. He fouled off half of the first eight pitches he saw and ultimately worked the count full.
Seymour became predictable, a creature of habit, not doubling up on the same pitch twice to that point. That was until the ninth pitch of the at-bat. Seymour tested Frelick again, throwing a four-seamer for the second consecutive pitch, this one hanging over the inner third of the plate.
Frelick didn't miss it, crushing a solo shot to tie the score at four apiece. TIE GAME. pic.twitter.com/aSkT0NcTRU Bedlam ensued at American Family Field. Yellow towels twirled in unison throughout the stands.
And as the stadium erupted, so did Frelick, rounding first base. He pointed toward his bullpen. Because for these Brewers, deficits have become invitations.
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