On July 28, 1977, rookie pitcher John Urrea turned in a dominating complete-game performance during a 3-0 win over the Atlanta Braves in St. Louis. The big righty set down 12 in a row before allowing a hit, as he sailed to victory while allowing just five hits total. He got the run support he needed in the first when Atlanta's starter Buzz Capra sailed one past his catcher, which brought Garry Templeton into score. Templeton came up big in the fifth with a two out triple that plated Urrea, who had drew a walk, and Lou Brock who singled right behind him. The offense could not push another run across in the contest, but they did not need to, with Urrea on the bump.That was the second start and first win of Urrea's career. He had made one a week earlier, but did not get a decision. It was also the only complete game shutout of his major league career, which took place over parts of five seasons. He put up decent numbers during that '77 season, going 7-6 with a 3.16 E.R.A., but was not able to build on that success. Urrea posted a 15-16 record with the Cardinals through the 1980 season, then was sent to San Diego in 1981 as a part of a package deal. He went 2-2 with the Padres, before his days on the major league diamond came to a close. While Urrea never stood before a crowd delivering a speech in Cooperstown, New York, he did stand on that major league diamond, and on that day at Busch Stadium he achiieved what many most men can only dream of.
Check out the box score here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN197707280.shtml
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