16-inning game ends like no other in MLB history
In a game that refused to end, the Baltimore Orioles outlasted the Los Angeles Angels to win 10-8 in 16 innings early Friday morning.
The game, which began at 7:05 p.m. local time on Thursday, lasted six hours and 19 minutes. When it finally ended, it did so on a historic note. With the Orioles out of pitchers, manager Brandon Hyde called on position player Stevie Wilkerson to pitch the 16th inning.
The 27-year-old outfielder answered the call by tossing — or lobbing even — a 1-2-3 inning, which included retiring future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols for the final out.
Because the Orioles were holding a two-run lead following a Jonathan Villar home run, the pitching appearance qualified as a save opportunity for Wilkerson. When he completed it, Wilkerson became the first MLB position player to record a save since it became an official stat 50 years ago.
Prior to Wilkerson’s save, three full-time pitchers — Paul Fry and Tanner Scott for Baltimore and Ty Buttrey for Los Angeles — were credited with blown saves.
Like we said, the game refused to end.
Here’s an interesting sidebar, too. Chris Davis, who entered to play first base for the Orioles in extra innings, is the only American League position player to earn a win as a pitcher since 1969.
That’s some irony.
Remarkably, the pitching appearance was Wilkerson’s third since the All-Star break. In four total innings, he’s allowed one run on four hits. He’s not throwing heat, either. His fastest pitch recorded in Thursday’s game was 56 MPH.
The truth is, when batters are used to facing pitchers who throw between 85 mph and 100 mph, the 30 mph drop can easily throw them off. That appears to be what’s making Wilkerson so oddly effective.
Controversial call at home plate extends the game
When a game goes 16 innings, chances are it will have included a little bit of everything. Unfortunately, that even means controversy.
Related: The 34 highest-paid players in baseball
34 PHOTOSThe 34 highest-paid players in baseballSee GalleryThe 34 highest-paid players in baseball
Eric Hosmer
First baseman, San Diego Padres
2019 season salary: $20 million
Alex Gordon
Outfielder, Kansas City Royals
2019 season salary: $20 million
Yu Darvish
Starting pitcher, Chicago Cubs
2019 season salary: $20 million
Cole Hamels
Starting pitcher, Chicago Cubs
2019 season salary: $20 million
Jason Heyward
Outfielder, Chicago Cubs
2019 season salary: $20 million
Justin Verlander
Starting pitcher, Houston Astros
2019 season salary: $20 million
Mookie Betts
Outfielder, Boston Red Sox
2019 season salary: $20 million
Yadier Molina
Catcher, St. Louis Cardinals
2019 season salary: $20 million
Freddie Freeman
First baseman, Atlanta Braves
2019 seasons salary: $21 million
Shin-Soo Choo
Designated hitter, Texas Rangers
2019 season salary: $21 million
Charlie Blackmon
Outfielder, Colorado Rockies
2019 season salary: $21 million
Rick Porcello
Starting pitcher, Boston Red Sox
2019 seasons salary: $21 million
Jacoby Ellsbury
Outfielder, New York Yankees
2019 season salary: $21.1 million
Buster Posey
Catcher, San Francisco Giants
2019 season salary: $21.4 million
Johnny Cueto
Pitcher, San Francisco Giants
2019 season salary: $22 million
Masahiro Tanaka
Starting pitcher, New York Yankees
2019 season salary: $22 million
Josh Donaldson
Third baseman, Atlanta Braves
2019 season salary: $23 million
J.D. Martinez
Designated hitter, Boston Red Sox
2019 season salary: $23.75 million
Zack Greinke
Starting pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks
2019 season salary: $24 million
Jake Arrieta
Starting pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies
2019 season salary: $25 million
Joey Votto
First baseman, Cincinnati Reds
2010 season salary: $25 million
Jordan Zimmerman
Starting pitcher, Detroit Tigers
2019 season salary: $25 million
Jon Lester
Starting pitcher, Chicago Cubs
2019 season salary: $25 million
Giancarlo Stanton
Outfielder, New York Yankees
2019 season salary: $26 million
Nolan Arenado
Third baseman, Colorado Rockies
2019 season salary: $26 million
Felix Hernandez
Starting pitcher, Seattle Mariners
2019 season salary: $27.8 million
Albert Pujols
Designated hitter, Los Angeles Angels
2019 season salary: $28 million
Yoenis Cespedes
Outfielder, New York Mets
2019 season salary: $29 million
Bryce Harper
Outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies
2019 season salary: $30 million
Miguel Cabrera
First baseman, Detroit Tigers
2019 season salary: $30 million
Manny Machado
Shortstop, San Diego Padres
2019 season salary: $30 million
Clayton Kershaw
Starting pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
2019 season salary: $31 million
David Price
Starting pitcher, Boston Red Sox
2019 season salary: $31 million
Mike Trout
Outfielder, Los Angeles Angels
2019 season salary: $33.25 million
See Gallery
The big moment happened in the 15th inning. After Baltimore scored three runs in the top half, the Angels battled back to put the winning run on base for Mike Trout with one out in the bottom half.
Not surprisingly, Trout came through by lining a double into the left field corner. Two runs scored easily to the tie the game. However, the trail runner, David Fletcher, who represented the winning run, was called out on a bang-bang play where his hand touched home plate and the tag by catcher Pedro Severino happened almost simultaneously.
The play was reviewed for two minutes and 41 seconds. The call was not confirmed or overturned. It simply stood because replay officials did not see enough evidence to change it.
It was disappointing for the Angels, who were poised to move six games over .500. Instead, they fell to 54-50 and are now four games out of a Wild Card spot.
The ending only added insult to the outcome. At 33-69, the Orioles are a team L.A. needs to beat regardless of the circumstances in order to gain ground. That made Thursday (and Friday) a huge missed opportunity.
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