within two batters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within two batters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of sports, particularly baseball, to indicate an event or action that occurs in relation to the next two batters that come to the plate. Example: "The pitcher managed to strike out the first batter and then walked the next one, allowing a run to score within two batters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Within two batters, the score was tied.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Within three batters, the lead was gone.

The New York Times - Sports

Within three batters, the Rays had taken the lead.

Los Angeles Times

After the Mets and Santana fell victim to a commanding pitching performance by the Padres in the afternoon, Niese held serve in the nightcap, coming within one batter of throwing the Mets' first perfect game.

The New York Times - Sports

He walked three batters and had to pitch out of trouble in the second, fifth and sixth innings, looking every bit as good as the pitcher who won 11 games for the Mets last year, when he also came within one batter of pitching a perfect game in Buffalo.

The New York Times - Sports

A couple of weeks later, while he was pitching in front of three hundred people in frigid Lake Erie air, his knuckleballs started "dropping like rocks in a pond," as he wrote, and he came within one batter of a perfect game.

The New Yorker

In the bottom half of the frame, Red Sox reliever Calvin Schiraldi retired the first two batters, putting the team within one out of winning the World Series.

Wikipedia

Two batters, two runs.

The New York Times - Sports

He walked only two batters.

The New York Times - Sports

Two batters faced, two strikeouts.

The Guardian - Sport

Clayton scored two batters later.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a rapid change in score or momentum in baseball, using "within two batters" can effectively convey the speed and impact of the events.

Common error

Avoid using "within two batters" when referring to actions taken by the same batter across multiple at-bats. This phrase refers specifically to events occurring during the at-bats of two different, consecutive batters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within two batters" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying a time frame or sequence of events related to the next two batters in a baseball game. Ludwig examples confirm it describes when something occurred in relation to those batters, as Ludwig AI also explains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "within two batters" is a common adverbial phrase used primarily in sports reporting, especially baseball, to denote the temporal proximity of an event to the next two batters in the lineup. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and serves to provide temporal context, typically with a neutral register. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, making it a standard way to quickly describe a rapid turn of events in the sport.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the next two hitters

Replaces "batters" with the synonym "hitters", maintaining the meaning of the next two players to bat.

in the subsequent two batters

Substitutes "next" with "subsequent", adding a slightly more formal tone while keeping the core meaning.

over the next two at-bats

Uses "at-bats" to specify the instances of batting, adding a nuance of technical precision.

during the following two hitters

Similar to 'in the subsequent two batters', but uses 'hitters' instead of 'batters'.

in the span of two batters

Emphasizes the duration or interval covering the next two batters.

after the subsequent two batters

This phrase refers to event that happens after the two batters finish their turn.

in the course of two batters

Expresses the events that occurs while the indicated two players are batting.

following a pair of batters

Uses "pair of batters" to refer to the two players, adding a slight stylistic variation.

after a couple of batters

A less precise, more colloquial equivalent.

within a couple of hitters

Uses "hitters" instead of "batters" and "couple" instead of "two", slightly decreasing the level of precision.

FAQs

How can I use "within two batters" in a sentence?

You can use "within two batters" to indicate that something happened during the at-bats of the next two batters. For example, "The score was tied "within two batters" after the pitcher gave up a double."

What does "within two batters" mean in baseball?

"Within two batters" signifies that an event occurred during the plate appearances of the next two players in the batting order.

Can I use "in two batters" instead of "within two batters"?

While "in two batters" might be understood, ""within two batters"" is the more common and grammatically sound phrase in sports reporting.

What is a similar phrase to "within two batters"?

Similar phrases include "in the next two hitters" or "during the following two batters", which all refer to events occurring during the at-bats of the immediate next two players.