Watch: D-backs send reliever to bat with game on the line

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Scott McGough Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Diamondbacks send relief pitcher to bat with game on the line vs. Yankees

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/3/24

In a throwback to, well, 2021, a pitcher batted in a major league game Wednesday. The result was predictable, if not painfully hilarious, for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

With the New York Yankees nursing a 6-5 lead in the 11th inning, the Diamondbacks had exhausted their bench and manager Aaron Boone knew it. After intentionally loading the bases with two outs, he forced Arizona to send a reliever to the plate in Scott McGough, who had a grand total of zero at-bats in the Majors up to that point.

Unsurprisingly, Caleb Ferguson struck McGough out looking to end the ball game.

STRIKE 3️⃣

THE YANKEES WIN‼️ pic.twitter.com/UiPjkkBu6R
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 3, 2024

McGough may have been the best option available. While he had no previous plate appearnces at the MLB level, he had five hits, six walks and two RBI in 21 plate appearances in the minor leagues.

After the loss, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that he felt like the team "beat ourselves." But, he didn't take any blame for creating the situation by pinch-hitting for second baseman Blaze Alexander in the ninth and catcher Tucker Barnhart in the 10th.

Regardless of how it happened, it is a bitter pill for the Diamondbacks to swallow after battling back from two separate deficits on Wednesday and one day after an overwhelming 7-0 victory.

The 11-inning loss to the Yankees was the third defeat of the season for the D-backs in what's been an uneven 4-3 start for the defending National League champions. Meanwhile, the Yankees stayed red-hot, improving to an American League-best 6-1.

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