Oakland switch-pitcher Pat Venditte throws two scoreless innings of relief
Oakland Athletics switch-pitcher Pat Venditte threw two scoreless innings of relief Friday against the Boston Red Sox during his MLB debut, striking out one batter and allowing one hit.
Venditte uses a special six-fingered glove and typically throws left-handed to left-handed batters and right-handed to right-handed batters. Against switch hitters, Venditte must declare which hand he will pitch with. He throws with more velocity from the right side.
Venditte pitched left-handed to Boston's right-handed third baseman Brock Holt, the first batter of the seventh inning, before switching delivery hands against designated hitter Hanley Ramirez.
(h/t NotMrTibbs for the Vine)
The 29-year-old pitcher was a 20th-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2008 out of Creighton University.
He advanced to Triple A in 2012 but had his season cut short by a torn shoulder labrum. He didn't return to Triple A until last season and had a 3.36 ERA and 1.260 WHIP in 56 1/3 innings at that level.
• CORCORAN: Does Pat Venditte have a real big league shot?
The Yankees did not re-sign Venditte when he became a free agent at the end of last season. He signed a minor-league deal with the A's and was invited to spring training.
Venditte pitched in 17 games for the Triple A Nashville Sounds this season, recording a 1.36 ERA and 0.970 WHIP in 33 innings.
Oakland lost to Boston Friday 4–2.
- Dan Gartland
