TORONTO -- Shohei Ohtani uncorked a first-pitch sinker to George Springer that dropped below the zone. The two-way star's hand went to the back of his cap, and mirroring him from behind the dish, catcher Will Smith tapped his head to challenge the pitch.
That set the first Automated Ball-Strike challenge of Wednesday's series finale in Toronto in motion, on the very first pitch thrown by a Dodger no less. Home-plate umpire Dan Bellino's original ball call was confirmed, with the scoreboard graphic showing that the offering was 1.9 inches out of the strike zone.
It marked the first time in the ABS Challenge system era that the first pitch of an inning has been challenged.
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After being confirmed to have fallen behind, 1-0, Ohtani got back into the count before giving up a leadoff single to Springer on a 2-2 four-seamer. Springer was quickly erased on the bases when Daulton Varsho reached on a fielder's choice, and after another base hit allowed to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ohtani was able to get out of the first inning without any damage from the Blue Jays.
Though both Ohtani and Smith appeared to each tap their head on Wednesday, Smith went down as the challenging player in the box score.
Ohtani has made only one ABS challenge -- as a hitter -- failing to overturn a ball against Nationals left-hander Ken Waldichuk last Friday at Nationals Park. Entering Wednesday, Smith ranked in the top nine among MLB catchers with 2.8 overturns vs. expected, winning nine of his 13 challenges.