Left-handed reliever Gregory Soto, in his first season as the Detroit Tigers' official closer, stared into the outfield before turning toward his dugout and walking off the mound.
This scene is all too familiar.
It was Oct. 5, the final game of the regular season. Soto entered for the bottom of the ninth in a non-save situation, with the Tigers tied with the Seattle Mariners, 4-4, at T-Mobile Park. The 27-year-old flamethrower, unable to harness command of his devastating arsenal, walked two batters, committed a throwing error and unleashed a wild pitch, setting up Ty France's walk-off single to right field.