Alzolay bounced back from his last start, tossing seven innings and earned a quality start in the Cubs’ 3-2 loss to the Reds on Saturday.
CINCINNATI — Adbert Alzolay wasn’t happy after his last start in which he allowed a season-high six runs against the Dodgers. But despite the rough outing, he felt like he’d be able to shake off the poor outing ange get back to being the pitcher, who went seven straight games allowing three earned runs or less.
Each start this season has been a part of the process in the growth and development of Alzolay as a starter and being able to flush a poor outing and move on to the next one is a step in that maturation process.
The Cubs’ young right-hander got himself back on track in the Cubs’ 3-2 loss to the Reds on Saturday and put together one of the better starts the team has had in awhile.
“I wasn’t worried about getting hitters into deep counts or walking guys, because I know who I am as a pitcher right now,” So that was my whole mindset. I just came back today and gave the team seven innings
Alzolay has shown that he has the ability to dominate lineups, strike hitters out and avoid walks, but in Saturday’s game against the Reds he did all those things and was efficient, which he’s been working toward.
“I think that’s a part of the maturation process,” manager David Ross said before the loss. “The best ones I’ve ever been around have bad starts and short starts. You try to figure out where you got out of whack and what went wrong.
“Perspective is a good thing. We get to sit back and watch your start on video, reassess and and get back to work in the bullpen and that’s what the great ones do. They will flush it.”
The right-hander mowed down Cincinnati’s lineup through six innings, retiring 18 of the first 21 batters he faced and threw just 69 pitches. Not only did he find a consistent rhythm, but he kept his pitch count down, which allowed him to go deep into the game.
Alzolay’s slider has become a weapon in his repertoire and has paired nicely with his sinker and two-seam fastball. But as he continues to develop his arenal, the changeup has become a bigger focal point.
“We had a really good plan today,” he said. “I think we executed the plan the way that we wanted to. Two bad pitches there. It happens when you’re facing good hitters and you miss your spot. ... But I think today was a really nice step forward to include my changeup more into my stuff.”
“I thought he had a great start,” Ross said. “Really got out and fixed a lot of things that he was working on prior [to today].”
Alzolay made it through the seventh inning, but not without . He walked the lead-off hitter and after a double put runners on second and third with one out, Eugenio Suarez singled to give the Reds a 3-2 lead. He allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings with one walk and six strikeouts.
It was the first time the Cubs have had a starter complete seven innings in a game not started by Kyle Hendricks since Alzolay did it on May 22 against the Cardinals.
Unfortunately for Alzolay, the Cubs offense wasn’t able to give him much run support as they dropped their eighth game in a row, falling to third place in the National League Central. While the lack of offense might put pressure on some young starters, Alzolay isn’t trying to put any additional pressure on himself to perform.
We already have a lot of pressure when we are on the mound,” he said. “So when you’re facing a good lineup like today, if you keep putting more pressure on yourself, you won’t get good results. ... We’re having a little bit of struggles right now, but I just go out and try to do my job.”
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