You'd think major league clubs, with their 12-man pitching staffs, could avoid having a position player throw in a game.
Well, we got our ninth hitter-turned-hurler of the season Monday night. The Brewers turned to first baseman Lyle Overbay to get the final out in the eighth against the Atlanta Braves. He retired Ryan Doumit on a popup.
Given that the Brewers were only down 9-3 at the time, the move is a bit of a head-scratcher. Most games in which position players have pitched this year have been blowouts; one of the exceptions was a 9-3 game in which Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado pitched.
Milwaukee manger Ron Roenicke had already used four of his seven relievers before turning to Overbay, but in theory he could have gone to lefty Will Smith, who last pitched Friday.
"We don't want to ruin those guys' arms down the stretch and have too many innings," Overbay told reporters.
For the record, Overbay's six-pitch outing was the sixth scoreless appearance among non-pitchers. Overall, the group has recorded a 8.22 ERA in 7 2/3 innings.
