There are moments rare enough that you try everything in your power to keep them etched in your memory—like when Jonny Gomes pitches an inning of relief for the Atlanta Braves.
Yes, Jonny Gomes, the left fielder.
Down 10 runs to the New York Yankees after burning through five pitchers in the first eight innings of Friday’s eventual 15-4 loss, the Braves called Gomes out of the bullpen for his major league pitching debut.
The right-hander’s reaction to giving up a home run to the first batter he faced, Chris Young, was priceless—tipping his hat as the outfielder rounded the bases.
He surrendered back-to-back doubles, while another run crossed the plate on a sac fly. But he ended his appearance on a high note by striking out pitcher Bryan Mitchell.
He pitched steadily in the mid-to-high 60s, grazing as high as 76 mph on one fastball, and even channeled his inner Luis Tiant during the amusing outing.
Gomes was the first position player to pitch for Atlanta since then-catcher Josh Russell did in 1989.
[MLB, h/t Hardball Talk]
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