Oakland Athletics pitcher Kendall Graveman made history on Wednesday night, and it had nothing to do with his work on the mound. Graveman is the first starting pitcher to bat cleanup in a game since a fellow named Babe Ruth on June 1, 1920 with the Yankees. Though it's not what you might think.
A’s pitcher Kendall Graveman first starting pitcher to bat cleanup since Babe Ruth
Though he didn’t start out the game that way.
Oakland started the game with a rather normal American League lineup, including a designated hitter, but things quickly changed when third baseman Danny Valencia left the game in the fourth inning with a left hamstring strain.
With Valencia out, second baseman Chris Coghlan moved to third base, and Jed Lowrie moved from designated hitter to second base.
Per MLB rule 6.10(b), “Once a Designated Hitter assumes a defensive position this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game.”
That meant the pitcher Graveman got inserted into the vacant spot in the lineup, which was Valencia’s fourth spot.
"Ladies and gentlemen, batting cleanup for the Oakland Athletics, the pitcher, Kendall Graveman." pic.twitter.com/WnM0LynGDe
— Zack Hample (@zack_hample) April 21, 2016
Graveman batted in the top of the fifth inning and struck out against Nathan Eovaldi.
He is the first A's starting pitcher dating back to at least 1913 to bat cleanup in a game.
Kendall Graveman is the first starting pitcher to bat at the current Yankee Stadium.
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) April 21, 2016
Graveman on the mound struck out a career-high eight while pitching into the seventh inning, allowing one run.
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