OAKLAND, Calif. — Manager Clint Hurdle is open-minded about unorthodox pitcher usage. A pitcher-left fielder platoon? Go right ahead. Waiving the right to a designated hitter? Why not.
Tuesday, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon called to the bullpen in the 13th inning and brought out two pitchers — Joel Peralta took the mound, and Travis Wood patrolled left field. Spencer Patton replaced Peralta in the 14th, and Patton and Peralta flip-flopped between pitching and playing left field twice before the Cubs pulled ahead in the 15th and won, 7-2.