The Enquirer/Zach Buchanan
NEW YORK – Tyler Mahle said he didn’t notice that his fastball velocity was down, at least not until his start was over. But the Cincinnati Reds rookie sure pitched like someone who knew he didn’t have his best stuff.
Working with a fastball that sat at 91 mph instead of the usual 94, the 22-year-old right-hander upped his offspeed and breaking usage Thursday against the New York Mets at Citi Field. It helped him get by, although he still gave up three runs in four innings in a 7-2 loss.