Major League Baseball

Villarreal's easy outing: 1 out, no pitches

Published Apr. 13, 2011 2:14 a.m. ET

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Brayan Villarreal pitched a third of an inning - without actually throwing a pitch.

Villarreal came on in the top of the seventh for Detroit with a man on first and two outs Tuesday. Before making a single delivery to the plate, he picked off Texas' Julio Borbon at first to end the threat with the Tigers still leading 4-3. They ended up winning 5-4.

''He's quick. That's exactly why we brought him in there,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ''We felt like the guy would have a good chance of stealing on (starter Brad Penny). Felt like Villarreal could at least hold him close, hold him closer.''

That was it for Villarreal, who was replaced by Joaquin Benoit to start the eighth.

According to STATS LLC, the last pitcher credited with a third of an inning without throwing a pitch was Cleveland's Tony Sipp in a game against Tampa Bay on July 25, 2010.

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