Carlos Cortes: The Unlikely Relief Pitcher for the A's

In a season marked by struggles, West Sacramento Athletics manager Mark Kotsay turned to an unconventional choice during a recent game against the Seattle Mariners: outfielder Carlos Cortes, who stepped in as a relief pitcher in the bottom of the eighth inning.

With the scoreboard reading 16-1 in favor of Seattle and the bases loaded, Cortes faced the daunting task of limiting the damage. He managed to induce a flyout from Victor Robles, closing out the inning without adding to the Mariners' lead. However, the A's continued to trail significantly, prompting Kotsay to send him back out for the ninth inning.

Cortes's outing was predictably challenging. He issued three walks and allowed a two-run single, demonstrating the uphill battle he faces as an outfielder taking on pitching duties. In total, Cortes has appeared as a pitcher nine times this season, often stepping in when the game is already well out of reach for the A's, with an aggregate score of 129-20 against them in those situations. Despite the odds, Cortes's resilience shines through, showcasing his determination even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Source: defector.com