Former Phillies catcher Erik Kratz tosses scoreless ninth inning, strikes out Brandon Belt in blowout defeat

By: Matt Rappa, managing editor

PITTSBURGH — With their pitching staff having allowed more than a dozen runs on 20 hits, five walks and 185 pitches heading to the top of the ninth inning Tuesday evening at PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle saw best fit to pitch a position player, trailing 15-3 to the first-place San Francisco Giants.

With Chris Stewart, Sean Rodriguez, Jung-ho Kang and Matt Joyce already used off the bench, Hurdle resorted to call upon former Philadelphia Phillies catcher Erik Kratz.

After retiring Giants first baseman Brandon Belt and right fielder Mac Williamson in order via strikeout and ground out, respectively, Kratz allowed back-to-back two-out singles to shortstop Ramiro Peña and left fielder Jarrett Parker. He got center fielder Gregor Blanco to fly out to center for the final out, however, thus securing the scoreless frame in relief.

Kratz, 36, tossed a total of 17 pitches, 10 of which were strikes with two looking strikes and one swinging strike. He induced two ground balls, two fly balls and one line drive, according to Baseball Reference.

Kratz was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 11 for cash considerations. The Pirates are the seven-year veteran's fourth Major League club this season, having signed minor-league free agent contracts with the San Diego Padres (Dec. 11) and Angels (May 26). Kratz was dealt from San Diego to the Houston Astros on March 28 in exchange for right-hander Dan Straily.

It was not Kratz's first career appearance on the mound, but rather his second. The previous outing occurred this season on April 26 with the Astros, trailing 11-1 to the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Facing six batters in the eighth, Kratz surrendered two runs (one earned) on three hits and 27 pitches.

Kratz's career ERA now stands at 4.50, with one earned run allowed through two innings pitched.

While Kratz did not see playing time in the major leagues as a Padre or Angel this season, he appeared in 15 games with the Astros from April 6 to May 12, batting .069/.100/.103 over 30 plate appearances. He is not faring much better in his second 2016 MLB stint with the Pirates either, batting .050/.050/.200 over 20 plate appearances with one hit — a solo home run — and eight strikeouts.

Through 132 games with the Phillies as the backup catcher to Carlos Ruiz — 2011 through 2013 and 2015 — Kratz hit .230/.290/.429 with 18 home runs and 54 runs-batted-in.