Brewers minor-league infielder gets walk-off hit ... and pitching win

TL;DR

Ethan Murray, a minor-league infielder for the Nashville Sounds, pitched in a tie game against the Iowa Cubs and secured a walk-off hit in the 11th inning. This rare feat highlights the unpredictability of minor-league baseball.

Key points

Ethan Murray is a minor-league infielder for the Nashville Sounds.
He pitched in a tie game against the Iowa Cubs.
Murray delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 11th inning.

Nashville SoundsIowa CubsEthan Murray

Major-league baseball pitchers haven't been able to help their own cause on offense since the designated hitter became universal.

But in the minor leagues, just about anything can happen. Anything.

Class AAA Nashville infielder Ethan Murray was pressed into pitching duty on May 15 against the Iowa Cubs, but it happened to be in a tie game in extra innings. And like you might imagine, it didn't start all that great with the position player on the hill. What you couldn't have imagined was Murray escaping a jam and then delivering the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 11th.

Biloxi Shuckers' Ethan Murray (1) swings at the ball during the game against the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on the Brave's opening day, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Braves won 2-0 after the game was called in the top of the eighth inning due to a tornado warning.

The Sounds had already used six pitchers in their battle with the Iowa Cubs, including a short start by starting pitcher Tate Kuehner. Presumably not interested in taxing any more arms, Nashville sent Murray to the mound for the 11th in a 3-3 game.

After walking former Brewers infielder and Wisconsin native Owen Miller to start the frame, Murray was facing two runners on with nobody out. But a lineout, groundout and diving catch in center field by star prospect Luis Lara got the Sounds out of the inning and set the stage for a wild finish.

Cubs reliever Ryan Jensen (yes, he's actually a pitcher) struck out Jeferson Quero to start the 11th and then intentionally walked Eddys Leonard to reach Murray, 26, who singled in the winning run.

Q&A

What did Ethan Murray achieve during the game against the Iowa Cubs?

Ethan Murray pitched in a tie game and delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 11th inning.

When did Ethan Murray pitch and hit the walk-off?

Ethan Murray accomplished this on May 15 during a game against the Iowa Cubs.

Why is it unusual for position players to pitch in baseball?

It's unusual because major-league pitchers typically do not contribute offensively due to the universal designated hitter rule, making position players pitching a rare occurrence.