The Diamonbacks blew a 7-1 lead and wound up tied with the Phillies at the end of regulation 7-7. The teams then played another whole game, the slugfest turning into a bullpen pitching duel until the 18th inning. With the Phillies staff depleted, position players Casper Wells and John McDonald got the call to pitch, and combined for five hits, three walks, one strikeouts and five runs allowed as the Diamondbacks win the seven hour game 12-7. The Phillies starter, Ethan Martin, lasted just 2/3 of an inning, so the Phillies pen was already under pressure when the game went into extra frames. Kirk Gibson, on the other hand, was able to bring in starter Trevor Cahill to pitch the last four innings for the win.

I have to believe it is rare for two position players to pitch in the same game. Wells pitched earlier this season for Chicago, while this was the first appearance for McDonald.

I can understand the Phillies going to position players instead of a starter. The Phillies are pretty much out of competition right now, where every game is important to the Diamondbacks, especially with Cincinnati winning Saturday night. Arizona can’t afford to lose many more games if they are going to gain in the wild card race.