South African-born Tayler Scott made history over the weekend when he made his debut for the Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball (MLB). Scott became the first South African pitcher to appear in an MLB game and the second South African to feature in the prestigious American league after Gift Ngoepe.
In 2017, Ngoepe became the first South African to play an MLB game when he featured in 41 games for the Pirates, before being traded to the Blue Jays in the 2017/18 season. He is currently playing in the minor leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Scott, who moved to Arizona as a teenager, made his debut on Saturday (Sunday morning SA time) as the Mariners took on the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.
The 27-year-old Johannesburg native made his debut relieving team-mate Yusei Kikuchi during the fourth innings. He allowed four hits, three runs with a walk and four strikeouts in 2.2 innings.
The Mariners, who are currently at the bottom of the American League East standings, lost 12-3 to the Angels.
Scott signed with Seattle as a Minor League free agent in December and was called up after All-Star outfielder Mitch Haniger was placed on the 10-day injured list.