The Rockies No. 9 hitter, Noel Cuevas, a speed-first fourth outfielder, barreled up a mistake 87-mph cutter from James Paxton for a three-run home run that broke open a tied ballgame and clinch a series win over the Mariners at Safeco Field.
The moment the pitch left his hand, James Paxton knew trouble loomed. His best hope was that the highly misplaced 87-mph cutter would be fouled off or not squared up on the barrel of a bat.
It wasn’t an unreasonable ask considering who was at the plate — the No. 9 hitter Noel Cuevas — a speed-first fourth outfielder who had hit just one homer all season despite playing his home games at Coors Field.