In an alternate universe somewhere, Cal Eldred is one of the all time great pitchers in Brewer history. In this universe, unfortunately, he's a guy that had an injury-riddled career and games like the one on this day in 1993 are probably a big part of the reason why.
Eldred was the starting pitcher on this day against the Angels (led by former Brewer manager Buck Rodgers) and held them to just one earned run on six hits, walking two and striking out nine. He did it while pitching ten innings, and throwing 149 pitches.
This Brewer team didn't have anything special to play for: Even after the win they were in seventh place in the AL East, 21.5 games out of first place at 49-73. Furthermore, they left Eldred in to pitch the bottom of the tenth despite the fact that they'd scored five runs to take a 7-2 lead in the top half of the inning.
No Brewer has pitched more than nine innings in a game since this day, and that's probably a good thing. Eldred led the AL with 258 innings pitched as a 25 year old in 1993. Two years later, he threw just 23.2 in 1995.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- AZL Brewer Ruben Ozuna, who turns 20.
- 1993-94 Brewer Tom Brunansky, who turns 51.
- 1979 Brewer Lance Rautzhan, who turns 59.