Deng Kaiwei's relief appearance yields first home run of the season; first ABS challenge results in overturned strike call

Houston Astros pitcher Deng Kaiwei entered today's game against the Boston Red Sox in the eighth inning with a four-run lead, but gave up his first home run of the season and experienced an ABS challenge that overturned a ball call into a strikeout.

Deng Kaiwei took over in relief with a 6-2 lead. He first retired Willson Contreras on a grounder to shortstop, then, on a full count, was taken deep by Wilyer Abreu for a solo shot to right field—his first home run allowed this season and also his first run surrendered.

Next, facing Christian Vázquez, he delivered a high pitch on a 2-2 count that the umpire called a ball. After the team requested an ABS challenge, the system showed the ball clipped the top edge of the strike zone, resulting in an overturned strike call for a strikeout. Deng then ended the inning by inducing a fly ball to left field from the following batter.

In this outing, Deng pitched one inning, throwing 14 pitches with 9 strikes, allowing one hit (the home run), recording one strikeout, and conceding one run. This season, he has appeared in two games, totaling 3.1 innings pitched, with 2 hits allowed, 3 strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 run surrendered, and an ERA of 2.70.