On this day in 1973 the Brewers' game against Oakland got off to an awful start. Bill Parsons, Milwaukee's starting pitcher, faced just three batters and walked them all before being lifted in favor of Jim Colborn. Colborn walked in a run in the inning but escaped without further damage.
The fact that Colborn came back out to pitch the second or third should probably come as no surprise. When he finished the eighth, however, his day became the longest relief outing in Brewer franchise history. He wasn't done, though: Manager Del Crandall sent him back out to protect a one run lead in the ninth, and when he did so he became one of just 39 players in the majors in the expansion era to pitch nine or more innings in relief.
Colborn was credited with the win that day as the Brewers picked up a 4-3 victory. Despite the fact that he made just one start in April, Colborn won 20 games that season and pitched a Brewer franchise record 314.1 innings.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- Huntsville Star Scooter Gennett, who turns 22.
- 1998 Brewer Bobby Chouinard, who turns 40.
- 1987-90 Brewer Charlie O'Brien, who turns 52.
- 1984-86 Brewer Ray Searage, who turns 57.
- 1976-77 Brewer Von Joshua, who turns 64.