Trent Grisham’s Historically Bad, Game-Ending Strikeout Had MLB Fans in Utter Disbelief

Sunday’s Milwaukee Brewers-San Diego Padres game at Petco Park came down to a final at-bat showdown that had everything you would want from a final at-bat in a one-run MLB game—bases loaded, two outs, and a 3-2 count.

That’s some drama right there, and that’s exactly where Padres center fielder Trent Grisham found himself in the bottom the of ninth. How his at-bat ended, however, was utterly mind-boggling, and not in a good way. At least for Grisham and the Padres.

Brewers right-hander Devin Williams fired a 93-mph fastball down the middle, and Grisham … just watched it go by for strike three.

Look at how the game ended:

Bottom of the ninth
Down a run
Bases loaded
Two outs
Full count

The last time a batter struck out looking in this situation (before tonight) was back in 2006. pic.twitter.com/pQkOUmPSwy
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) April 17, 2023

The strikeout looks even worse when you see this stat:

☑️ Bottom of the ninth
☑️ Two outs
☑️ Bases loaded
☑️ Down a run

There's a record of 404 MLB batters batting in that situation since 1988 and only 17 of them struck out looking. pic.twitter.com/gxfht0ajw0
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) April 17, 2023

How do you not swing the bat there?!

MLB fans couldn’t believe it:

Look kids, this can NEVER happen. Hard to believe a professional doing this. https://t.co/C2x7Z8ANuO
— MLBeFUN (@MLBeFUN1) April 17, 2023

I mean what exactly was he looking for here? You know he was gonna groove one. https://t.co/NLfSDTqqoQ
— NickName (@nickname897) April 17, 2023

This is literally the scenario you make up in your head when you’re a kid playing ball in the backyard with your dad / friends https://t.co/fdFoheiDJR
— Yon Alexei (@YonAlexei) April 17, 2023

2006.

Striking out looking in this spot, on a pitch that was ?right down the middle?

Unnacceptable is the only word.

I don’t care if you swing after it’s in the glove, be prepared to swing.

This tells me you’re looking for a walk. https://t.co/88aUDVFm2Q
— Ryan🎙️ (@RyanKnowsBall) April 17, 2023

fastball middle up and he doesn't swing is a travesty on baseball https://t.co/LKoGyrMmIP
— Eli🇵🇱🇺🇸 (@Draid___) April 17, 2023