Astros 'learning as we go' with Tatsuya Imai, whose value to the rotation has never been greater

SEATTLE — Desperation arrived after 27 pitches, most nowhere near Tatsuya Imai’s intended target. Number 28 sailed to the same spot as so many others, but Christian Vázquez tapped his helmet for a challenge anyway.Imai’s misfired fastball missed the strike zone by a full inch, according to Statcast. Wasting a challenge in a 1-0 count against the game’s sixth hitter seemed illogical, but sometimes daring decisions are needed to interrupt an implosion. Vázquez is Imai’s personal catcher, in part, “just to continue to build some stability” for someone in need of it.Advertisement