It was on this day in 1977 that
pitcher Pete Vukovich would throw the first complete game shutout in Toronto
Blue Jays’ history when he blanked the Orioles, 2-0, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
Vukovich’s line for the night would be nine innings pitched, six hits, one walk
and 12 strikeouts, in picking up his third win of the season.
The Jays’ first run of the game
was scored in the top of the fifth when Doug Radar singled off Baltimore
starter Jim Palmer. After an error and a sacrifice bunt moved Radar to third,
he scored when Hector Torres grounded out to second base. The second run was
scored in the eighth, also against Palmer. Bob Bailor had an infield hit, was
sacrificed to second and moved to third on Al Woods’ groundout. He scored on a
base hit to centre field by Ron Fairly.
Vukovich would only pitch one
season with Toronto, pitching in 53 games, eight of them starts. He had a 7-7
record, a 3.47 ERA and struck out 123 batters. He would pitch three seasons
with the Cardinals, five more with the Brewers and retired following the 1986
season.
Movie buffs will remember
Vukovich for his role as Yankee slugger/first baseman Clu Haywood in the film
“Major League.”
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| Wesley Snipes (left) as "Willie Mays Hayes" and Pete Vuckovich as "Clu Haywood".
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