'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACA//aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAApRCT/8QAIRAAAQMDBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgEDBAAFERUhMkEiI2H/2gAIAQEAAT8AucW9uIFm1YZMm8NleYxGyjTbQkOUA+WeSZ68aY1uMw2w5LiqbQoBetS3T73X/8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQARMf/aAAgBAgEBPwDVuf/EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAxMv/aAAgBAwEBPwCUf//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Aroldis Chapman is among a few pitchers who can consistently hit the 100+ mph mark on their pitches, leaving hitters fearful of facing him at the plate. The Cuban Missile is in his 15th season, playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Although he has regressed over time, his fastball can still tick up a notch. Manny Machado is fresh off facing one such pitch.
On Wednesday, against the San Diego Padres, the 36-year-old flamethrower faced an uphill task in the top of the eighth inning of a close 6-5 game, with the Padres trailing. Third baseman Machado was at the plate, with runners in scoring position and two out.
On a 1-2 count, Aroldis Chapman threw a 104.7-mph fastball, which struck out swinging Machado. After the pitch, Machado was left in awe and acknowledged Chapman's fiery pitch.
Trending
Here's the video:
Aroldis Chapman holds the record for the quickest pitch ever thrown. On Sept. 24, 2010, while playing for the Cincinnati Reds, he recorded a pitch at 105.8 mph. However, that was during his prime, but his latest pitch is commendable, especially doing so at the age of 36.
Aroldis Chapman kept things in check, but Padres beat Pirates
Pirates manager Derek Shelton called Aroldis Chapman from the bullpen to pitch the eighth inning of the game and keep the lead intact. Chapman struck out Tyler Wade to start the innings. He was then hit by Luis Arraez before allowing a single to pinch-hitter Ha-Seong Kim.
With two of the best players to come up, Chapman was ready to hit the throttle. He first struck out Xander Bogaerts before cleaning up Manny Machado to keep the 6-5 lead intact for the Pirates.
However, the Padres tied the game in the ninth with Jackson Merrill's home run off David Bednar, sending the game into extras.
In the 10th, the Padres added three more runs against Colin Holderman. The Pirates attempted a comeback by scoring two runs in their half of the inning but fell one short to lose 9-8 at PNC Park.
