The most memorable moments of position player pitching

It's never fun as a fan to watch your team get blown out in a baseball game. However, there is one reason to always stick around during an out-of-hand game: You might get to see a position player pitch.

Houston Astros backup catcher Erik Kratz became the first position player to take the hill in 2016 on Tuesday. His line wasn't great, but he did give the Astros' bullpen a breather, which is really the one job he was asked to do.

Kratz is just one in a long line of position players who've had to toe the rubber thanks to various mitigating circumstances, and some of these appearances have become well known in baseball lore.

Here are some of the most memorable position player pitching performances:

Cliff Pennington, 2015 ALCS

With their bullpen spent thanks to multiple injuries and a 12-2 score in Game 4 of last year's ALCS, the Blue Jays had no choice but to make Pennington the first true position player to pitch in a playoff game. He was so impressive - his fastball hit 91 mph - that at least one team reportedly wanted to sign him over the offseason as a utility infielder/pitcher hybrid.

Canseco gets shelled, hurt

What started out funny - with the powerful, muscly Canseco taking the mound in a blowout at Fenway - ended in disaster for the Rangers. Canseco gave up three runs and walked three on 33 pitches, only 12 of which were for strikes, and saw his season end when he tore his UCL during the appearance, thus leading to Tommy John surgery.

Ichiro lives a dream

The future Hall of Famer was a pitcher in high school, and famously pitched to Hideki Matsui in a Japanese league All-Star Game, but had to wait until he was 41 to throw in the big leagues. Ichiro did alright for himself, giving up just one run on 18 pitches while showing excellent form in his delivery.

Davis, McDonald duel in extras

Seeing one position player pitch is rare enough, but two in one game? And they each get a decision? Yes, it happened in 2012. With both bullpens emptied in an extra-inning marathon, Orioles slugger Chris Davis moved from DH to pitcher in the 16th inning, while Darnell McDonald did the same for Boston in the 17th. McDonald allowed three runs and took the loss, while Davis struck out a pair in two scoreless innings to earn his first big-league win.

Wade Boggs baffles Angels

Boggs was famous - in non-game situations - for his knuckleball abilities, and he was finally able to use it when it mattered in 1997. The Hall of Famer dazzled on the hill, throwing a scoreless, hitless inning, while striking out Anaheim catcher Todd Greene. Boggs would pitch again for the Rays in 1999 but gave up a run in that game, which ended his consecutive scoreless innings streak at two.

Rocky Colavito beats the Tigers

Colavito, a six-time All-Star outfielder, actually pitched twice in his career, but his performance on Aug. 25, 1968 at Yankee Stadium may be the finest position player pitching performance ever. In the first game of a doubleheader between the Yankees and Tigers, Colavito relieved Yankees starter Steve Barber with two out in the fourth inning. He'd go on to pitch 2 2/3 scoreless frames, struck out one, and got the win. Oh yeah, he also walked and scored the winning run. Then, for good measure, he started the nightcap in right field and homered. Not a bad day's work.

(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)