A prototypical power pitcher, Fujikawa is said to have one of the most explosive fastballs in all of Japanese professional baseball and is one of Japan's premier relievers.

Cone, who has recently appeared to be without the explosive fastball that is essential to his overall pitching strategy, had trouble jump-starting that pitch in the 40-degree conditions.

"I have never lost my confidence," said Benitez, who earned his eighth save by mixing sliders with his explosive fastballs.

Wood had a more explosive fastball in his Game 1 victory, but he had a dazzling curve and the command to get ahead with any pitch on Sunday.

Roy Halladay, a 21-year-old with an overhand motion and an explosive fastball, had not allowed an earned run in his first 19 innings this season.

He had an explosive fastball, a devastating splitter, he got his curveball over when he had to and he pitched out of that one jam.

With an explosive fastball that reached 93 miles an hour, Isringhausen whiffed six and only allowed Cruz's homer and a single to Hentgen.

Martinez (8-4), the small right-hander with the explosive fastball, had not won since June 24.

Last night Hernandez threw an explosive fastball, one that is seemingly getting better as the season progresses, and he threw it to both sides of the plate.

That explosive fastball he had in the warm weather of June and July last season may be sustained through this summer.