On this day in 1973 just 6,589 fans came to Cleveland Stadium on a Saturday to watch the Brewers beat the Indians 9-4 on the strength of a five-run ninth inning. The big blow was Pedro Garcia's two run homer in the final frame. Jim Colborn went the distance for his 14th victory of the season.
The game's big story, however, was Brewer leadoff hitter and left fielder John Briggs. He led off the game with a single to right and scored a run. He doubled in the second and scored again. He singled in the fourth before being caught stealing and again in the sixth before being stranded. He doubled for the second time in the eighth, and when he singled again in the ninth he became the first Brewer ever to collect six hits in a game.
At the time Briggs was the 55th major leaguer ever to reach six hits. He was the 35th ever to do it in a nine inning game, and just the 30th to do it in six at bats.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- AZL Brewer Orlando Arcia, who turns 18.
- AZL Brewer Joel Dicent, who turns 21.
- Brevard County Manatee Casey Medlen, who turns 23.
- Helena Brewer Mike Francisco, who turns 24.
- Nashville Sound Hiram Burgos, who turns 25.
- 2007 Brewer Scott Linebrink, who turns 36.
- 1993-94 Brewer Troy O'Leary, who turns 44.
- 1985 #1 overall pick and 1987-95 Brewer B.J. Surhoff, who turns 48. We covered his birthday in this space last year.
- Seattle Pilot and 1970 Brewer Bob Meyer, who turns 73.
- Seattle Pilot Ray Oyler, who would have turned 74.