Why Braves pitcher Victor Mederos hit and made history with 2-RBI single

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Why Braves pitcher Victor Mederos hit and made history with 2-RBI single originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Pitchers don't hit in Major League Baseball anymore.

At least not unless you're Atlanta Braves right-hander Victor Mederos on Friday night against the Texas Rangers, who stepped into the box at home late in an Atlanta blowout.

Mederos didn't just hit -- he ripped a two-run single.

It was the first time a pitcher had hit in MLB this year, and it was the first career hit for Mederos.

The hit did come against a position player pitching -- Kyle Higashioka is normally a catcher.

Still, it was a fun moment for the Braves.

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Why did Braves pitcher Victor Mederos hit?

Mederos hit because the Braves didn't want to use another reliever in the blowout win, and they wanted to get some starters out of the game.

They took Matt Olson out from first base and put DH Dominic Smith at first base. That lost the DH spot, meaning the pitcher went into the batting order.

Atlanta could've then pinch-hit, but it would've meant someone else would've had to throw the ninth inning.

Instead, they let Mederos hit.

Mederos never even had an at bat in college at Miami or Oklahoma State, or in collegiate summer action in the Cape Cod League.

But this was the only at bat he needed. What a cool opportunity, and he seized it.

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