Lance Painter #28

A 1985 graduate of Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wis., he hurled a perfect game his senior season...attended and pitched for the University of Wisconsin...born in England, became naturalized U.S. citizen prior to start of 1994 season...he and his wife, Kelly, have a daughter, Jordan, and a son, Jake, and reside in Phoenix, Ariz.

2002

Did not pitch during the 2002 season as he continued to rehab his injured left elbow.

2001

Injury-plagued season began with a DL stint from 4/9 to 5/10...made just 10 appearances with the Blue Jays before being released on 6/29...signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on 7/3 and appeared in 13 games before again landing on the disabled list 8/22...he sat out the remainder of the season and underwent "Tommy John" elbow surgery on 10/2, performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum.

2000

Made 42 appearances (2 starts) in his first season in the American League...won his 5/10 start vs. BAL, striking out a career-high eight batters in 5.0 IP...had a no-decision in his second start, a 7-6 win on 5/16 vs. BOS...earned his 2nd win of the season on 9/17 with 3.0 innings of relief work against the White Sox...pitched a season-high 3.2 IP on 9/23 vs. TB...was roughed up for a career-high eight runs in his final outing of the season on 9/28 in a 23-1 loss at BAL.

1999

Saw action in 56 games (4 starts) for the Cardinals...ranked 2nd among NL pitchers in first batter efficiency, allowing only a .140 BA (6-for-43)...allowed 7 of 40 inherited runners to score, ranking 5th in the league...was credited with 10 Holds...was disabled from 6/14-29 due to a strained left shoulder...lost his first four decisions before capturing a win on 7/3 at ARI...earned his only save on 9/29 vs. SD...had a stretch of 38 games without allowing a home run until his final appearance of the season on 10/2 when Jeff Reed of the Cubs homered...he'd not allowed a HR since 5/28 when Henry Rodriguez took him deep...held opposing batters to a .183 BA following the All-Star break.

1998

Appeared in a career-high 65 games and led the team with 21 "holds," a total that tied for third in the National League...recorded a career-best 3.99 ERA and tied a personal best with four wins...allowed only 19 percent of inherited runners to score, the fourth-best percentage among N.L. relievers...was a perfect 4-0 in decisions, 1-for-1 batting and errorless in 18 fielding chances, giving him a 1.000 average in all three categories...notched a 1.42 ERA in September and a 2.16 mark in May...held lefties to a .205 batting average (second-best among Cards relievers) and had a 3.09 ERA in opponents' home parks (third among the team's relievers)...received credit for his first win of '98 on 5/23 vs. SF. ..allowed two runs in two innings but preserved an 11-10 victory...gained his first save as a Cardinal, and the second save of his career, on 7/31 at ATL, striking out the final two batters with the bases loaded in the ninth...pitched 2.1 scoreless innings on 8/12 vs. NY...earned his fourth win on 8/15 vs. PIT, recording the last out in the 12th inning...pitched a scoreless inning both 8/29 and 8/30 vs. ATL...struck out the side in a perfect eighth inning at FLA on 9/1.

1997

Limited to 14 appearances due to a right hamstring injury that forced him to the disabled list from 4/5-5/13 and 5/20-9/1...picked up his only victory in the season finale vs. CHI on 9/28, working the final 1.2 innings in a 2-1 win...pitching at Busch, he allowed only one hit in 7.1 shutout innings...of the 14 first-batters he faced, only three reached base.

1996

Spent full season in majors for first time, but was available for just two-thirds of it...like year before, made just one start, incurring loss 4/7 at MON though tying career high with six strikeouts...recorded 100th career strikeout 4/10 vs CHI...allowed one earned run over 3.2 innings 4/24 vs PHI, but that did not happen before Lance tied game with two-run single that completed comeback from 6-1 deficit he inherited...went on to win career-best four straight decisions over 15 appearances, 4/27 - 6/14...included was a string of eight consecutive scoreless outings 4/30 - 6/1 (6.2 IP)...provided own display 7/4 at LA with four innings of one-hit, shutout pitching while striking out four against one walk...after walking only batter faced 8/4 at CHI, went on DL next day...arthroscopic surgery 9/13 revealed and repaired labrum tear in left shoulder.

1995

Opened season on disabled list after spraining ankle early in abbreviated spring training but would win three decisions in a late-season stint that proved crucial to Rockies' march to wild-card berth...having been moved full-time to bullpen, made first opening-day roster, but had only two relief appearances before expanded team lists were cut and was optioned to Colorado Springs...recalled 6/5, but sent back south again after three outings...summoned to Denver once more 7/12, for keeps...would finish season 28-for-33 in first batters retired and permitting only six of 27 inherited runners to score (including two of last 16)...two-run homer by Ryan Thompson 7/14 at NY represented only earned runs scored against Lance in first 15 games back...struck out season-high five that night in four innings, longest relief outing of season...ER-free streak was extended 16.2 innings over 13-plus appearances, 7/14 - 8/11 (allowed unearned run, 7/22 vs NY), before being snapped 8/12 at ATL...opponents hit .158 (9-57) during this span...streak reached zenith 7/25 at PHI, when he set down all 10 Phillies to bat against him, four on strikes...gave six bases on balls in 39.1 innings after final recall, and none in 14 straight games (19.2 IP) 7/25 - 8/27...earned first major-league save 8/16 at CIN by entering to record final out of 6-4 win, and first pro save since 1990 with Spokane...in only start of season, 9/12 vs ATL, allowed only two runs in five innings to put Rockies 10 games over .500...retired only batter faced in season finale, 10/1 vs SF, giving teammates chance to pull out 10-9 win and again go 10 over .500 - and into postseason...opened postseason career as pinch-hitter in Game One of N.L. Division Series, 10/3 vs ATL...started Game Two, one night later, giving three runs over five innings and finishing with no decision in Braves' 7-4 win.

1994

Started again at Colorado Springs, but spent enough time in two big-league stints to earn four wins and Rockies' Rookie-of-the-Year award from Colorado BBWAA chapter...won back-to-back starts 6/17 at LA and 6/22 vs HOU...held Astros to two runs over eight innings while scoring a pair himself, driving in another with a sac fly and doubling along the way...posted career-high six strikeouts over six innings in 7/8 loss at FLA...surrendered three runs over seven innings in 15-4 victory 7/16 vs STL...made only relief appearance of season 8/4 at HOU, three days after getting fourth and final win of '94 on same field.

1993

Promoted to Class AAA Colorado Springs after strong outing in Rockies' first major-league spring camp...made big-league debut 5/19 at SD and garnered first hit but former organization beat him 7-3...made two more starts before being optioned back to Colorado Springs 6/2...went 9-7 and shared Pacific Coast League lead with four complete games...landed berth on N.L. team that played in Class AAA All-Star Game at Albuquerque...recalled 8/27, assuming uniform number 28 after wearing 47 during first stint, the change necessitated by the arrival of Bruce Hurst...it seemed to change his luck, because he won his first two starts...claimed first major-league victory 8/29 at NY, allowing just five hits in complete-game 6-1 decision and driving in a run...went seven innings, tripled and scored twice in next start, 10-4 win 9/4 vs PIT...furthered his cause at bat in final start, a no-decision 9/9 at PIT, recording two sacrifice bunts...hit .300 (3-10) with three sac bunts and a walk...entered in relief for first time in majors 9/18 vs LA, as he would in three remaining appearances thereafter.

2004