Unlike Lin Guanglai, who swung the bat on the first pitch, Aaron Judge exhibited considerable patience in the batter's box, entangling himself with Charlie Morton.
After all, unlike Lin Guanglai, he didn't have teammates on base applying pressure, and Morton, a pitcher known for inducing ground balls, was the type Judge wasn't particularly fond of facing.
The two engaged in a back-and-forth battle, neither giving way. Charlie Morton, whose pitch count was already high, saw it rise further during this exchange—by the time the count reached full at 3-2, Morton had thrown 97 pitches, nearing the 100-pitch threshold.
The Astros' coaching staff still showed no signs, but the speed and intensity of the bullpen's warm-up activities increased significantly.
