The switch pitcher has arrived. Oakland Athletics reliever Pat Venditte, who can throw as both a lefty and a righty, made his major league debut on Friday night in Boston.
Of course, this isn’t exactly a situation you see every day, so we saw some interesting things happen over the course of the day.
Earlier in the day when Venditte was called up, Oakland labeled him an “SHP” on Twitter as opposed to an LHP or RHP.
The A's have selected SHP Pat Venditte from Nashville; optioned RHP Dan Otero to Nashville; transferred OF Coco Crisp to the 60-day DL.
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) June 5, 2015
Venditte also got his name colored in blue on the A’s lineup card, just like switch hitters do.
The A's lineup for tonight's game in Boston. #GreenCollar pic.twitter.com/c447P4pyH5
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) June 5, 2015
NESN had some fun when Venditte was warming up in the bullpen, showing him throwing from both sides in a split screen.
The resemblance is uncanny. http://t.co/uTtERgBTVz pic.twitter.com/aGQIzTfJo8
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) June 6, 2015
Venditte faced one left-handed hitter, four right-handed hitters, and one switch hitter, Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart.
Venditte's first LH pitch and first RH pitch. #OMGisthisVenditte!? https://t.co/QVG9XX7QHV
— Ryan Thibodaux (@NotMrTibbs) June 6, 2015
The rules state that Venditte must “declare” what arm he’s using to pitch at the beginning of the plate appearance, and then the batter must “declare” what side of the plate he’s hitting from, and neither side can switch during the at bat.
Considering the left-handed Brock Holt was the first hitter Venditte faced before four straight right-handers, it’s no wonder there was some confusion on Swihart’s end.
https://twitter.com/iamjoonlee/status/606997769576947712
Venditte ended up throwing two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, striking out one, and getting a double play while throwing 28 pitches.
