A’s right-hander Pat Neshek undoubtedly took the mound with a heavy heart when he was called from the bullpen in the seventh inning of tonight’s ALDS Game 1 against the Tigers -- only three days after losing his infant son just 23 hours after childbirth.
But the side-armer looked plenty composed.
Neshek induced a fielder’s choice groundout from Detroit’s Omar Infante then struck out Austin Jackson, holding two inherited runners at bay while keeping the Athletics within striking distance. He pointed to the sky as he exited the field, then put on a hoodie and took a seat in the dugout. When the TBS cameras panned to him after coming back from commercial break, he was seen letting out a deep breath.
The A’s are wearing patches this evening in honor of Neshek’s son. They currently trail the Tigers 3-1.
