Matt Brash performed admirably in his first start for the Mariners.

When you’re getting ready to see someone make their first major league start, there’s always a strange mix of fear and exhilaration.

Especially when they’re carrying something terrible. It was how a lot of supporters were feeling ahead of Matt Brash’s first start against the Chicago White Sox today.

The wind was howling, and the Mariners were unable to hit two early home runs, one by Winker and the other by Haniger.

Both were shots, with Hanigers at 104.1 degrees and 39 degrees and Winker at 102.6 degrees and 28 degrees. In normal weather, both would have been out, but the wind kept them inside.

But that isn’t what we’re here to discuss.

We talked about what to anticipate from Matt Brash as the Mariners’ fifth starter before the game, and he came out looking absolutely filthy in the first two innings. For his first professional strikeout, he used a slider.

Filthy first MLB strikeout for @Mariners‘ Matt Brash. pic.twitter.com/kGFMLLEZzb

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 12, 2022

That wasn’t the case. Fans were ecstatic when he announced that he would get Abreu on another one that was just as filthy. You know you’ve got something great when folks like Pitching Ninja are talking about your team’s players.

All you need to know about Matt Brash in 32 seconds. pic.twitter.com/fI76IVTsk9

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 12, 2022

Brash’s first inning was one of the greatest we’ve seen from a Mariners prospect, as he struck out Luis Robert on the first pitch and then struck out Abreu on the next pitch. It wasn’t just the devastating slider, as he started off with a 97 mph fastball. That wouldn’t be his max though, as he hit 99.2 later that inning. The slider even broke 3000 rpm with over 50 inches of break, causing batters to be perplexed all day.

He got off to a good start, retiring the first seven batters he faced before allowing his first base runner to reach on a walk that was followed by a hit. JP bobbled Anderson’s squibber for an error, and Brash then saw a rocket hit that went into a double play to get out of the inning with only one score.

In the first three innings, Brash gave up some tremendously hard hit balls, with exit velocities of 112.5, 111.7, and 109.6. He continued to impress in the fourth inning, striking out two more batters. He did give up a hit, but it was a dribbler into the corner of the net.

In the fifth inning, he struck out two more batters to bring his total to six for the day. They let him pitch in the sixth inning, and after retiring the first batter, he allowed Luis Robert to blast a solo home run. That was followed by a single to Abreu, bringing his day to a close.

6K, 4H, 1BB, and 2ER in 5.1 innings.

Matt Brash, Unfair 85mph Slider…and Sword. ⚔️

I dub thee Sir Matthew…for all the swords he’s collected. pic.twitter.com/Isy0bwbHDT

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 12, 2022

Sir Matthew, you did an outstanding job.

Matt Brash had a great start, and perhaps it will be the first of many. If today is any indication, we’ll be seeing a lot of his outstanding work this year. There were some bumps in the road, but we know he’s got some terrible stuff. It’s going to be a blast!

For the latest Sports News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest Sports News on oldsite.bolnews.com