Laxton had his first taste of the Major Leagues in 1970, appearing in two games of relief work before coming back in 1971 and appearing in 18 games for the Padres, pitching 27.2 innings and collecting two-losses against no wins, with an earned run average at 6.83.
Sadly for him he’d spend the next two seasons in the Minors before making it back in 1974, playing 30 games, all but one out of the bullpen, going 0-1 with a 4.03 E.R.A.
Again, he’d spend the following year in the Minors before making it back, this time with the Detroit Tigers where he’d go 0-5 with a 4.09 E.R.A., getting three starts while picking up a couple of saves over 26 games and 94.2 innings pitched, his career high.
In 1977, which would be his last taste of the big leagues, Laxton would split the year with the new Seattle Mariner team and the Cleveland Indians, for whom he’d play the final two games of his career, going a combined 3-2 with a 4.96 E.R.A. over 45 games and 74.1 innings pitched, leaving him with a career record of 3-10 with a 4.73 E.R.A., with five saves over 121 games and 243.1 innings pitched.
