On This Day in 2012: Zack Greinke Starts Third Consecutive Game

Unusual circumstances led future Hall of Fame pitcher Zack Greinke to start three games in a single season for the first time since 1917 on July 13, 2012.

This occurred thanks to an unusual set of circumstances around the time of the 2012 All-Star Break. Greinke was scheduled to start against the Houston Astros on July 7. He threw only four pitches before getting ejected for spiking a ball into the ground when arguing a call. Greinke would take the ball for the Crew the following day but was removed after three innings.

When play resumed after the All-Star Break on July 13, Greinke returned to the mound, which made him the first player to make three consecutive starts in a single season since Red Faber accomplished the feat for the Chicago White Sox in 1917.

Greinke did not remain in Milwaukee for much longer, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels at the deadline in 2012. Neither party achieved the desired results from the deal. The Angels failed to make the playoffs behind a historic Rookie of the Year campaign from Mike Trout, and the package of prospects the Brewers received in exchange for Greinke did not pan out. While Greinke’s solid 2012 season was not particularly memorable beyond his unusual pitching achievement, he made waves in the offseason by signing a six-year, US$147 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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