Slumping Brewers fail to maintain early 5-run lead against Nationals

Pitching has always been a vital component of success in major league baseball. 

During his prime, Higuera was perhaps the most elite lefty in the AL. 

Sheets fought through ailments to produce four All-Star Game appearances (2001, 2004, 2007, 2008) during his time with the Brewers. 

The first trip to the All-Star Game came during a rookie season in which he finished with an 11-10 record and 94 strikeouts. In Sheets’ ninth career start, he pitched a five-hit shutout vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Gallardo followed in the footsteps of Higuera as another dominant Mexican pitcher for the Brewers. 

It might seem early for this coronation, but in the past three seasons, Burnes has asserted himself as one of the top arms in the NL. 

The legendary reliever with perhaps the most famous mustache in MLB history graced the Brewers with the final four seasons in his 17-year career. 

Caldwell began his career with the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Cincinnati Reds, but the best stretch of his career came with the Brewers. 

It was a glorious lone season in Milwaukee for Sabathia.

Slaton spent the majority of his career in Milwaukee and is the franchise leader in wins (117), shutouts (19), games started (268), and innings pitched (2,025.1). 

Slaton is also second in complete games (69) and fourth in strikeouts (929) in Brewers history. In 1977, Slaton was selected to the All-Star Game and finished with 104 strikeouts and a 3.58 ERA.