5 Legendary Milwaukee Brewers Games You Probably Don't Remember
For a team with just one World Series appearance, three division titles, and no championship wins to their name, the Milwaukee Brewers have a surprisingly interesting history. It’s not super easy to find or remember, but it’s there. More importantly, the Brew Crew appears to be a team on the rise in the 21st century. In the past couple of years, Milwaukee seating and pricing have become more sparse and more expensive, respectively. However, much like the team’s history, it’s possible to find cheap Milwaukee Brewers tickets if you know where to look. In the meantime, let's take a trip down memory lane with these five legendary Brewers games that you may not remember.
5. April 15, 1987: Brewers 7, Orioles 0
Throwing a no-hitter is a landmark occasion for any pitcher and any team. For the Brewers, it’s only happened once, so we definitely can't forget it. The honor belongs to Juan Nieves, who threw the no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles early in the 1987 season. It was only his second season in the big leagues when he was still just 22 years old. The game ended up becoming the highlight of a brief career that lasted just three seasons before Nieves suffered a career-ending arm injury. Not only is Nieves the first and only Brewers pitcher to throw a no-hitter, but he was the first pitcher from Puerto Rico to throw a no-hitter in the majors. Of course, it wouldn’t have happened without an amazing catch from longtime Milwaukee outfielder Robin Yount. Hall of Famer Eddie Murray nearly broke up the no-hit bid with a scorching line drive to right-center field. But Yount ran a country mile and then laid out on a headfirst dive to make the catch, helping to make history for both Nieves and the Brewers in the process.
4. August 26, 1987: Brewers 1, Indians 0
This game is one of the few times in baseball history that home fans booed after a walk-off win. Coming into the game, Brewers legend Paul Molitor had a 39-game hitting streak, the 7th-longest in major league history. But after going 0 for 4 against Cleveland pitcher John Farrell, it looked like the streak was over. Alas, Molitor got a reprieve when the game went to extra innings after both teams failed to score in nine innings. Unfortunately for Molitor, he never got a fifth at-bat in extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th inning, with Molitor standing on the deck, pinch hitter Rick Manning singled to drive in the game-winning run. Rather than cheering the win, Brewers fans let boos ring out around Milwaukee County Stadium, upset that Manning ended the game before Molitor had a chance to extend his streak.
3. October 7, 2011: Brewers 3, Diamondbacks 2
Playoff series wins have been rare for the Brewers, and one of the few came in 2011 in memorable fashion. The team set a franchise record with 96 wins that year than took a 2-0 lead over Arizona in the ALDS. However, the Diamondbacks fought back to force a decisive Game 5 back in Milwaukee. John Axford couldn’t close out a one-run lead in the 9th, sending the game to extra innings. But Axford redeemed himself with a scoreless 10th inning, setting the stage for the Brewers to win it in the bottom half of the inning. Carlos Gomez began the rally with a single and a stolen base to put himself in scoring position. Brewers folk hero Nyjer Morgan then singled to center field, scoring Gomez to give the Brewers a walk-off series win.
2. September 28, 2008: Brewers 3, Cubs 1
When the Brewers acquired pitcher C.C. Sabathia for the stretch run of the 2008 season, it was a big deal. Sabathia pitched on short rest multiple times late in the season to maximize his number of starts. That included starting the final game of the regular season against the rival Cubs. Sabathia went the distance in that game, allowing just one unearned run on four hits over nine innings to help deliver a 4-1 win for Milwaukee. Coupled with a loss by the Mets that same day, the win sent the Brewers to the playoffs for the first time since 1982, breaking a drought of 26 years.
1. October 10, 1982: Brewers 4, Angels 3
This is the game that sent the Brewers to their first and only World Series. It was the fifth and decisive game of the ALCS against the California Angels. The Brew Crew had dropped the first two games of the series, forcing them to win three straight in order to reach the Fall Classic. The Brewers trailed for most of the game until Cecil Cooper stepped up to the plate in the 7th inning with the bases loaded and delivered a two-run single to put Milwaukee ahead 4-3. The Angels threatened in the final two innings, getting the tying run to second base with Rod Carew up in the 9th. But Pete Ladd induced a game-ending groundout to give the Brewers their first and only pennant in franchise history.