投手投出几个漂亮的曲线球，让打者难以击中。

The pitcher threw several sharp ___curveballs that fooled the batters.

就在他准备毕业演讲时，新冠疫情爆发给他来了个措手不及。

Just as he prepared his graduation speech, the COVID-19 outbreak threw him a ___curveball.