One year ago today, Shaun Marcum pitched one of the more important games of his career. After missing the entire 2009 season following Tommy John surgery, Marcum completed his return to the mound and served as the Blue Jays' Opening Day starter against the Rangers.
That by itself would have been a nice milestone for Marcum's career, but he also nearly made history in the game. Through six innings against the eventual AL Champions, Marcum did not allow a hit or a walk, with the only baserunner reaching on an error by third baseman Edwin Encarnacion.
Unfortunately, things came apart a bit for Marcum in the seventh and he allowed the Rangers to tie the game at three on a Nelson Cruz home run. The Blue Jays eventually lost the game 5-4.
With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 2004-06 Brewer Jorge de la Rosa, who turns 30.
- 1996 Brewer Cris Carpenter, who turns 46.
- 1901 Milwaukee Brewer Wid Conroy, who would have turned 134.