Carlos Carrasco was hit with a pitch clock violation on Monday afternoon in the bottom of the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers before he could even make his first pitch of the season.
While hitters and pitchers are still getting used to the new rule, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has to be happy with the early results of the pitch clock. The timer cut down games by 26 minutes and 29 minutes in spring training and on Opening Day respectively.
The pitch clock isn’t the only big change that’s made an immediate impact on (very) early season contests, as the bigger bases and limited pickoff moves have led to increased stolen bases, while the infield shift restrictions have also produced more offense. The most notable change, however, is and will continue to be the pitch clock.
Kansas City Royals star catcher Salvador Perez is among the big fans of the clock, saying last week that he thinks the new addition could add “two more years” to his career.
As for Carrasco, while he was able to come back from the 1-0 hole against Christian Yelich to pick up a strikeout to start his outing, things started to unravel midway through his start. The righty finished his day having allowed five runs (all earned) on four hits, four walks and four strikeouts in four-plus innings.
The host Brewers led the Mets 10-0 in the bottom of the fifth.
