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While Kyle Schwarber with his surgically repaired left knee wasn’t medically cleared to play the outfield for the Cubs, the Indians found a way to get their designated hitter into the lineup in a National League park, playing Carlos Santana in left field on Friday night in Game 3 of the World Series at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Santana had played left field just one other time in the majors, logging four innings in a blowout on Aug. 12, 2012.
Carlos Santana: 1st to start WS game at position he never previously started in 85 years (Jake Flowers, 1931 Cardinals 3B) via @EliasSports
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 29, 2016
On Friday, he saw just one ball hit his way in five innings of action, catching a fly ball off the bat of Kris Bryant in the first inning.
Cleveland brought in relief ace Andrew Miller in the fifth inning on a double switch, with Rajai Davis taking over for Santana in left field, in a scoreless tie.
Santana was in the lineup for his bat of course, after hitting .259/.366/.498 with 99 walks and a career-high 34 home runs in 2016. He has averaged 24 home runs, 31 doubles and 100 walks for the last six years.
On Friday night, Santana reached base twice in three plate appearances, walking in the third and the fifth innings. The Indians loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, but did not score.