BOSTON -- Texas Rangers left fielder David Murphy made his big league pitching debut in Tuesday's 17-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

He can tell his grandchildren he once had a scoreless inning to his credit.

Murphy became the sixth position player in club history to pitch in a game when he came on in the bottom of the eighth to save the Rangers' bullpen. Murphy allowed a hit on a leadoff double by Red Sox right fielder Daniel Nava then got three straight outs, including a memorable strikeout of Mike Carp.

"I got through the inning," Murphy said. "It was fun to do."

Murphy was sent out to spare the bullpen. Manager Ron Washington had already used four relievers after Justin Grimm lasted only 1 2/3; innings, which matches the shortest outing of the season by a Rangers starter. The Rangers started a stretch of 20 games in 20 days on Tuesday.

Murphy got two fly-ball outs, including a rocket to left field by Pedro Ciriaco. He had to get his final out against Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, a scary proposition for his first time on the mound.

The highlight was getting Carp called out on strikes for the first out. Carp, who had homered earlier in the game, was ejected from the game for arguing about the punchout.

Murphy joins Jeff Kunkel (who did it twice), Scott Sheldon, Craig Gentry and Jose Canseco as position players who have pitched in a game for the Rangers in their 41-year history. It was Canseco's outing that served as the most memorable of the six, as he injured his elbow trying to overthrow.

Murphy wasn't going to let that happen.

"I was throwing the ball over the plate," Murphy said. "Wash said, 'Don't go out there messing around.' I just wanted to get us off the field."