Stud file: Runzler wins game after dislocating his knee

This is one of those headlines that Dan Runzler should actually be proud of.

Sure, he looked like a young relief pitcher making his first Major League at bat in the process, but how many other pitchers can say to their grandchildren, “Kids, did I ever tell you about the time I won a baseball game…after I dislocated my knee?”

Runzler, 25, had come into Thursday’s game after starter Barry Zito was lifted for “back reasons” (Zito, by the way, was pissed off that G’s manager Bruce Bochy took him out of the game, but that’s a post for another day). Because of the way MLB scoring rules work, a starter has to go five complete innngs to earn a win. Since Zito was lifted with two outs in the fifth inning nursing a 6-1 lead, Runzler (who came into the game in the sixth inning) got the victory instead.

And that’s where the story takes a funny turn (although I’m sure Runzler doesn’t think so).

Runzler (3-0, 3.30) was asked to bat in the top of the seventh inning with two outs (after all, the Giants had already used two relievers prior to Runzler and had a comfortable lead).

It would be the lefty reliever’s first-ever Major League at bat.

With Eli Whiteside at first base, Runzler took a fastball from Brewers’ reliever David Riske for a called strike one. He then watched an inside hummer go by for a ball. He swung and missed on the third delivery. With the count 1-2, Runzler swung on a fastball and fouled it off. As he was swinging, his cleat got stuck in the dirt and Runzler (later) said he “heard something pop.” (Don’t you hate it when an athlete utters those words?)

As it turns out, Runzler dislocated his knee and was unable to even complete the at bat. Instead, Madison Bumgarner (who swings a pretty mean bat for a pitcher) came in and finished the AB for Runzler by swinging and missing for a third called strike. To make matters even worse, the strikeout was credited to Runzler, not Bumgarner. Ouch. Now that hurts.

The good news is Runzler had an MRI and did not suffer any significant ligament or tendon damage. He was placed on the DL and Joe Martinez was recalled from Fresno. The bad news is, he’s now a career .000 hitter.

But, hey, at least he got the win — (say it with me kids) — after he dislocated his knee. What a stud.