New Pitcher Moved to the Field for a Platoon Advantage

Wright is at least the 25th pitcher in major league history to make a move from the mound to another position so that another pitcher could have the platoon advantage; details of the other 24 can be found here. 1. Wesley Wright, Houston Astros, July 27, 2012. Wright, one of three lefties in the Astros bullpen, was brought in to start the 8th inning with the Astros leading the Pirates 5-4. The first batter of the inning, lefty Alex Presley, grounded to second. With righty Andrew McCutchen coming up, Wright was moved to RF, replacing Ben Francisco, and righty Wilton Lopez came in to pitch. After McCutchen doubled, Wright returned to the mound, and Brian Bogusevic came in to play RF. In the short team, the strategy worked.  Righty Garrett Jones flied to center, and switch-hitting Neil Walker grounded to third to end the 8th.  Wright stayed in for the top of the 9th, striking out lefty Pedro Alvarez. Astros manager Brad Mills then went back to his bullpen, bringing in rookie right-hander Rhiner Cruz and his 6.88 ERA to face righty Michael McKendry.  McKendry singled, and Cruz walked the next two batters.  Mills then turned to rookie lefty Xavier Cedeno, who promptly allowed the tying go-ahead runs to score on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch. In the bottom of the 9th, Bogusevic, batting a power-light .217, fouled out to end the game.