Like Benny, Molitor Quits Counting at 39

John Farrell may become an outstanding major league pitcher someday, but until he does, the claim to fame for the Cleveland Indians’ rookie is that he stopped Paul Molitor’s hitting streak at 39 games.

The 6-foot 4-inch right-hander, in just his second major league start, did not permit the Milwaukee Brewers’ designated hitter to get the ball out of the infield in four tries Wednesday night at Milwaukee.

Farrell, 25, held the Brewers to just three hits in nine innings, getting Molitor on a strikeout, a double play and a grounder to short. In the eighth, Molitor got aboard when first baseman Pat Tabler dropped the throw from third baseman Brook Jacoby, who fielded Molitor’s slow roller. Umpire Mike Reilly originally called Molitor out, then saw that Tabler didn’t have the ball.

Molitor was the on-deck batter in the 10th inning when pinch-hitter Rick Manning delivered a single to score Mike Felder from second and give the Brewers a 1-0 victory.

It may have been the first time a player for the home team was booed after driving in the winning run. But those fans left on a damp, chilly night wanted Molitor to get one more chance.

When the game ended, the fans called for Molitor and gave him a rousing ovation when he re-appeared from out of the dugout.

That ended Molitor’s bid to tie Ty Cobb and become the fifth player in modern history to hit in 40 consecutive games. He wound up 17 short of Joe DiMaggio’s record of 56 set in 1941 and, coincidentally, stopped by the Indians.

“Someday, when I’m retired, I’ll look back on this,” Molitor said. “I’m very happy at what has happened.

“The fact that it’s in the top five streaks makes you realize you’re pretty fortunate. DiMag, Rose, Ty Cobb and George Sisler. That’s pretty fast company.”

Molitor was the first batter that Farrell, former star at Oklahoma State and a second-round draft choice, faced in his debut Aug. 19. Molitor singled, but Farrell won the game in relief, then two nights later went the distance to beat the Detroit Tigers.

The Indians called up Farrell from Buffalo of the American Assn.the night before he made his debut against the Brewers. At Buffalo he was 6-12 with a 5.83 earned-run average. In 19 innings in the majors, he has given up only 8 hits and 2 earned runs.

The Milwaukee fans, who rallied around the 31-year-old veteran over the weekend, stayed away Wednesday night. Only 11,246 fans were on hand, although the club had a 25-14 record during Molitor’s streak.

Since DiMaggio set his record, only Pete Rose, who hit in 44 consecutive games in 1978, had a longer streak than Molitor.