Ryan Hopes to Have Right Stuff in His 2nd Try at 300

Nolan Ryan’s first attempt for career victory No. 300 produced more than personal disappointment for a man who enjoys sharing his success.

Not only did Ryan give up three homers, seven runs and 10 hits against the woeful New York Yankees before leaving after eight innings, he let down the home folks who’d been eager to share in another piece of his remarkable history.

The Texas Rangers rallied to win the game last Wednesday, but the 43-year-old Ryan failed to get the victory that would have made him the 20th major league pitcher to win 300 games.

Now in a different stadium 1,000 miles away, one that will be filled with fans rooting for and against him, Ryan will try again.

“That wasn’t the way I had it planned but I didn’t get it done in Arlington, so I’ll be glad to do it in Milwaukee,” Ryan said today, the day before he was to pitch against the Brewers at County Stadium.

“I would have liked to have done it at home in front of the hometown fans and I had my opportunity and had a bad outing against the Yankees, so I hope tomorrow night I’ll have one of my better games.”

Ryan, 11-9 lifetime against the Brewers with three career wins at County Stadium, hasn’t pitched in Milwaukee since April 12, 1989.

That night he was overpowering. He lost a no-hitter in the eighth inning but won the game and struck out 15. That was victory No. 274. Ryan was 2-1 last season against the Brewers but has not faced them in 1990.

“I’ve enjoyed pitching here. It’s a good baseball town. They are supportive of their ball club and it’s a good field,” Ryan said on a morning talk show on WISN-TV.

Of the last nine pitchers to get 300 victories, five accomplished it on their first try. Don Sutton, the most recent member of the 300 club in June, 1986, needed two starts. Phil Niekro who made it before him in October, 1985, needed five.

The Rangers had considered delaying Ryan’s next start two days so he could go back to Texas and try for No. 300, but Manager Bobby Valentine decided to stay with his regular rotation. Ryan, with a 10-4 record, has been bothered by a stress fracture in his back.

“It’s more of a nagging than a threatening injury,” said Ryan, who has major league-record 5,211 career strikeouts and six no-hitters.

The Brewers were expecting a crowd of between 30,000 and 40,000 for the game, officials said today.