Diamondbacks forced to use pitchers to hit, run, play outfield

The Diamondbacks were forced to use two of their starting pitchers in place of position players late in Sunday’s game against the Pirates, sending Zack Greinke to pinch hit and Shelby Miller to pinch run.

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The Diamondbacks were forced to use two of their starting pitchers in place of position players late in Sunday’s 13-inning loss to the Pirates, sending Zack Greinke to pinch hit and Shelby Miller to pinch run.

That was initially the extent of manager Chip Hale’s plans, but shortstop Nick Ahmed’s ejection forced the team to deploy Miller in leftfield the following inning.

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Miller wound up playing a double off the wall, and the Diamondbacks wound up falling behind once again in the top of the 13th. And, to make matters all the more strange, Pittsburgh starter Jonathan Niese pinch hit and picked up an RBI single.

Arizona fell, 12–10, in 13 innings. Pirates outfielder Starling Marte went 4 for 6 with two runs and two RBI.

– Kenny Ducey