Marlins' Brian Moran strikes out his brother in historic MLB debut
Thursday’s game between the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates had no impact on the MLB standings. But unlike most September games without playoff implications, you can’t call this one meaningless.
That’s because a dream scenario played out for brothers Brian and Colin Moran.
Historic brother vs. brother matchup
The game marked the MLB debut of Brian Moran, a 30-year-old left-hander who toiled in the minor leagues for 10 seasons. He was summoned by Marlins manager Don Mattingly to pitch the fourth inning, which set up a scenario that had not been seen in MLB since 1900.
Facing your brother in your big league debut?
Couldn't draw it up any better. pic.twitter.com/RvMNUEbKiA— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2019
The second batter Brian Moran faced in his MLB debut?
His own brother, Colin Moran.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this exact scenario had not played out in an MLB game 119 years.
With Colin and Brian Moran squaring off right now, it is the 1st time since 1900 a brother faced off against his sibling in his Major League debut in a pitcher-vs-batter scenario (or other way around).
(h/t: @EliasSports)— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 6, 2019
Amazing.
And even more amazing was the outcome of this historic matchup.
First career strikeout
After battling to a 3-2 count, Brian Moran earned bragging rights for life by making his brother his first career strikeout victim.
Brother vs. brother.
The strikeout AND bragging rights. pic.twitter.com/dMnxb4JVNe— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2019
The decisive pitch was a 72-mph slider.
Ironically, Colin Moran was the Marlins’ first-round pick in the 2013 MLB draft.
He was traded to the Houston Astros before making his MLB debut. The 26-year-old third baseman has received regular playing time for Pittsburgh this season. In 133 games, he's batting .286/.333/.450 with 13 homers and 77 RBIs.
As Brian Moran will surely remind his brother, he couldn’t even get the ball in play when they faced each other.
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