On this day in 1981 the Brewers beat the Twins at Metropolitan Stadium in a brisk two hours in front of a small Saturday crowd (just 9,952 fans). The Brewers had ten hits and four walks in the 5-3 victory, but the story of the day was starting pitcher Jim Slaton.
Slaton walked the first batter he faced in the first and second inning on this day, but erased the first on a caught stealing and the second on a line drive double play. Aside from that he was dominant, allowing just one other walk and no hits through eight innings.
Just three outs away from history, however, Slaton faltered in the ninth. The first three hitters he faced in the final inning all got hits, capped off by a three run homer by right fielder Hosken Powell. The Brewers called in Rollie Fingers to clean up the mess and he did, recording his 22nd save.
At this point in history no Brewer pitcher had ever thrown a no-hitter. Juan Nieves pitched the first one in 1987 and no one has done it since.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- AZL Brewer Dane Amedee, who turns 22.
- 2000-01 Brewer Jimmy Haynes, who turns 40.
- 1996 Brewer Mike Potts, who turns 42.
- 1995 Brewer Ron Rightnowar, who turns 48.
- 1991 Brewer Candy Maldonado, who turns 52.
Today is also the 38th anniversary of a 1974 game where the Brewers beat the Red Sox 4-3 behind a ninth inning home run from rookie outfielder Gorman Thomas. We covered that event in this space last year.