Through ten games this season, Brewer pitchers have posted a 3.59 ERA, and have walked just 32 in 87.2 innings of work. That's 3.3 per nine innings of work.
On this day in 2009, the Brewers played a game that puts those numbers into pretty startling perspective. In front of over 40,000 fans at Miller Park, Jeff Suppan and three relievers combined to walk ten Cubs in an 8-5 Brewer loss. Four runs scored on Suppan bases loaded walks.
Surprisingly enough, the ten walks did not set a franchise record. The Brewers have walked eleven or more batters in a game 31 times in franchise history, including once later in the 2009 season.
The actual record almost has to be seen to be believed: On July 19, 1969 the Seattle Pilots walked 18 opposing batters in a 11-7, 18 inning loss to the Twins. Here's the box score. The nine inning record is a little more believable: Everett Stull and four relievers walked 14 Astros on April 29, 2000.
One of the relievers in that game was Matt Williams, who played his only season for the Brewers in 2000. Williams turns 40 today. (h/t Play Index).
With help from Brewerfan.net, happy birthday today to:
- AZL Brewer Max Walla, who turns 20.
- 1953 and 1961 Milwaukee Brave Johnny Antonelli, who turns 81.
- Woodland, WI native Addie Joss, who would have turned 131. Joss played nine seasons for Cleveland's AL team (then known as the Naps) from 1902-1910, and is a Hall of Famer.