StaTuesday: Longest consecutive on-base streaks in Brewers history
Ryan Braun's streak of getting on base ended Saturday with, of all things, a pinch-hitting appearance against Cincinnati in which he hit into a double play.
This was not the only time Braun has pinch hit this season. He also had an RBI single against the Cubs on April 26. However, amazingly, it was just the fourth time this season Braun has not had a hit and/or walk in a game.
Since Braun didn't get up again in the game against the Reds, his on-base streak ended at 28 games, just two shy of becoming only the ninth Milwaukee Brewers player to reach base in 30 or more games.
This was actually the second time Braun had reached base in 28 games, also doing it in 2011. That other streak, though, ended with an 0 for 7 in a doubleheader in Atlanta (0 for 4 in Game 1).
In fact, of all the streaks better than Braun's in Brewers history, none ended like his -- with one shot to extend it. The other players all had four or five chances.
Scott Podsednik's record 47-game streak also ended against the Reds, although in Cincinnati, with an 0 for 4 on July 21, 2003 (he also went 0 for 5 the next day). Fernando Vina got an extra chance to extend his streak as the Brewers and Tigers went into extra innings on July 2, 1996, but Vina grounded out in the 10th and Milwaukee scored one in the top of the 11th to win.
Of course, every Brewers fan likely remembers Paul Molitor's 39-game on-base streak -- better known as his 39-game hit streak and how that came to an end with him on deck and Rick Manning driving in the winning run of a 1-0 game in the bottom of the 10th against Cleveland on Aug. 26, 1987.
The most "productive" streak breaker was by Robin Yount, who in the second game of a doubleheader in Cleveland on Aug. 11, 1989 went 0 for 3 to end his on-base streak at 32 games, but he did have two sacrifice flies in an 8-7 win over the Indians. His second one game Milwaukee an 8-4 lead -- that insurance run being needed as Cleveland scored three times in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Braun is one of four players to have two on-base streaks of 28+ games for the Brewers, joining Molitor, Prince Fielder and George Scott, although the latter two both had streaks extend across two seasons.
Here is the complete list of Brewers who have had on-base streaks of 28 games or longer:
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