40 years ago today the Brewers headed to the Twin Cities for what looked like a lopsided matchup: Milwaukee was 5-12 on the season and opening a three game set against the 14-4 Twins. Instead, it turned out to be one of the more evenly matched contests in franchise history.
The Brewers got a poor start on this day from pitcher Bill Parsons, who lasted just 4.1 innings and allowed three runs on four hits and five walks to put the Crew at an early disadvantage. The bullpen held the Twins from there, however, and the Brewers scored two in the seventh on Tommie Reynolds' two run single to tie the game at three.
After that, the offenses packed up and went home. The game went to extras tied at three and the score remained the same at the end of 21 innings, when the American League curfew forced the two teams to suspend the game. They resumed play the next day with Bert Blyleven on the mound for the Twins, and the Brewers greeted him by scoring a run in his first inning. Jim Lonborg nailed down the save for the longest win in Brewer franchise history.
Perhaps the most notable stat from the 22 inning game is this: After Bill Parsons left the game in the fifth inning, five Brewer relievers combined to pitch 17.2 scoreless. Jim Colborn kept the Twins off the board from the 14th through the 21st and got the win.
The two teams went on to play 15 more innings the next day.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- Huntsville Star Domnit Bolivar, who turns 23.
- 2009 and 2011 Brewer Felipe Lopez, who turns 32.
- 2003-05 Brewer Wes Helms, who turns 36.
- 1982 Brewer Kevin Bass, who turns 53.
- 1984 Brewer Willie Lozado, who turns 53.
- 1971-73 Brewer Bob Heise, who turns 65.
- 1970-71 Brewer Ted Kubiak, who turns 70.
- 1971 Brewer Floyd Weaver, who would have turned 71.
- 1964-65 Milwaukee Brave and 1974 Brewer Felipe Alou, who turns 77.
- Milwaukee native Lave Cross, who would have turned 146. Cross played 21 major league seasons between 1887-1907 as a member of the Phillies, Philadelphia A's and seven other teams.
Today is also the 30th anniversary of Paul Molitor's three hit game and overcycle in 1982. We covered that event in this space last year.