On this day in 1971, the Twins had runners on base all day against Marty Pattin and the Brewers. Pattin pitched a complete game and allowed eleven hits: at least one to seven of the Twins' eight starting position players and more than one to three different players, including #2 hitter Rod Carew and #3 hitter Tony Oliva. Yet somehow this offensive showing went unrewarded, as the Twins failed to score a single run.
Despite striking out just two batters in the game, Pattin scattered the hits and kept the Twins off the board. Minnesota picked up a hit in eight of the game's nine innings, but also grounded into two double plays and left nine men on base. First baseman Roberto Pena and center fielder Dave May homered for the Brewers in a 5-0 Milwaukee victory.
As you might expect, allowing eleven hits in a shutout is pretty rare. It's only happened once in Brewer history:
Date | Opponent | Hits |
6/26/1971 | Twins | 11 |
8/24/1983* | Angels | 10 |
8/16/1981** | Blue Jays | 10 |
8/10/1972 | Orioles | 10 |
Nine others | 9 |
Somehow, this is still three hits short of the major league record: On July 10, 1928 Milt Gaston of the Washington Senators shut out the Indians despite allowing 14 hits and two walks over nine innings.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- 2011 3rd round pick Drew Gagnon, who turns 21.
- Wisconsin Timber Rattler Brooks Hall, who also turns 21.
- 2008-09 Brewer Jason Kendall, who turns 37.
- 1998-99 Brewer Mike Myers, who turns 42.
- 1976 Brewer Steve Bowling, who turns 59.
* - This game was a 1-0, 14 inning Brewer win.
** - This was the second game of a doubleheader.