The Toronto Blue Jays made headlines recently when they threw a staggering 70 pitches in a single inning during a game against their division rivals. This unusually high pitch count raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, prompting many to wonder what factors contributed to this rare occurrence.

One of the main factors that likely played a role in the Blue Jays’ high pitch count in that inning was poor command by the pitchers. Command refers to a pitcher’s ability to locate their pitches within the strike zone and hit their spots consistently. When pitchers struggle with their command, they are more likely to fall behind in the count, leading to longer at-bats and higher pitch counts. In the case of the Blue Jays, it’s possible that their pitchers were struggling to find the strike zone and were forced to throw more pitches as a result.

Another factor that may have contributed to the high pitch count was the quality of the opposing hitters. Facing a lineup of disciplined and patient hitters can make it difficult for pitchers to get quick outs and keep their pitch counts down. If the opposing hitters were fouling off pitches, working deep counts, and drawing walks, it would have put additional pressure on the Blue Jays’ pitchers and led to a higher pitch count in that inning.

In addition, defensive miscues and errors can also contribute to a high pitch count in an inning. If fielders are unable to make routine plays or commit errors that extend at-bats, it can force pitchers to throw more pitches to try to get out of jams. The Blue Jays may have experienced defensive lapses in that inning that led to more pitches being thrown than usual.

Overall, a combination of poor command, quality of opposing hitters, and defensive miscues likely contributed to the Blue Jays throwing 70 pitches in a single inning. While this is certainly an outlier and not a common occurrence, it serves as a reminder of how multiple factors can come together to create a high pitch count in a single inning of baseball.