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MLB
D-Backs catcher James McCann ties MLB record for most games pitched by position player before May
TL;DR
James McCann of the Arizona Diamondbacks tied the MLB record for most games pitched by a position player before May, appearing in four games. He matched the record set by Christian Bethancourt in 2017.
Key points
- James McCann tied the MLB record for games pitched by a position player.
- He became the first position player to pitch in four games before May.
- McCann's pitching performance included one unearned run and two walks.
Arizona DiamondbacksSan Diego PadresMilwaukee Brewers
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann tied an MLB record on Thursday, becoming the first position player to pitch in four games before May.
Alas, since Thursday was the last day of April, he won’t get an opportunity to surpass Christian Bethancourt, who also pitched in four April games for the San Diego Padres in 2017.
McCann threw one inning in the D-Backs’ 13-1 first to the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing one unearned run and one hit with two walks. He got through the eighth inning on a barrage of soft, high-arching “eephus” tosses.
The veteran catcher’s first 22 pitches averaged 36.8 mph with five of them reaching 40 mph. His fourth pitch was clocked at 49.6 mph, but was outside of the strike zone for a leadoff walk to Brice Turang.
However, McCann reared back for his final pitch of the inning, throwing a 65 mph fastball in the lower middle of the zone that Sal Frelick grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. (The Brewers outfielder hit his third homer of the season in the seventh inning, which may have helped him avoid ridicule.)
McCann finished with 24 pitches, 11 of them for strikes. The run he gave up was unearned, due to a throwing error from second baseman . With no earned runs allowed, McCann lowered his season ERA from 15.00 to 11.25. In his four appearances this season, the catcher has allowed five runs, nine hits and three walks in four innings.
Q&A
How many games has James McCann pitched in before May?
James McCann has pitched in four games before May, tying the MLB record.
Who held the previous record for most games pitched by a position player before May?
The previous record was held by Christian Bethancourt, who also pitched in four games in April 2017.
What was James McCann's pitching performance against the Milwaukee Brewers?
In his appearance against the Milwaukee Brewers, McCann allowed one unearned run and one hit while walking two batters.
