BOSTON -- Adrian Gonzalez wanted to pitch. He was clearly trying to do anything he could to help the team get a win in Sunday's 17-inning marathon game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park, because he sure wasn't hitting.
Gonzalez finished the 9-6 loss going 0-for-8 with two strikeouts. It marks the first time a Red Sox cleanup hitter finished a game 0-for-8, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
As bad a day that it was for Gonzalez, he still offered to move from first base to the mound, once Bobby Valentine used up his entire bullpen.
But that wasn't happening.
"Adrian really wanted to pitch, just for the record," said Valentine after the loss. "And for the record, I didn't put him out there."
What Valentine really wanted Gonzalez to do was put one in the seats in the bottom of the 17th, after Ryan Sweeney led off with a single and Dustin Pedroia walked. A home run there would have tied the game. Instead, Gonzalez struck out swinging against the Orioles' designated hitter who also finished the game 0-for-8.
Gonzalez didn't talk to the media after the game. But the Red Sox hitter who pitched on Sunday, did.
Boston Red Sox
When Darnell McDonald was asked if it came down to him or Gonzalez jumping onto the mound, McDonald said, "Adrian, to pitch? Nah, Adrian ain't pitching."
On Sunday, Gonzalez didn't pitch or hit, and it hurt the Red Sox.