Watching a young pitcher lose his Major League debut would surprise very few, if any, fans. Watching it happen to one who allows no earned runs in six innings does surprise some fans — but perhaps not Cub fans. Dallas Beeler found that out on Saturday.
Beeler made his Major League debut in Game 1 of the Cubs’ double-header with the Washington Nationals. He was the 26th man on the Cubs’ roster, which a new rule allows this year. Judging by his line, one would think Beeler won: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K. Just for good measure, he also collected his first Major League hit on the first pitch he saw as a batter. However, allowing one unearned run — and lack of offensive support — cost him the game.
Beeler did cause the unearned run himself. With two outs and a runner at second in the sixth, catcher John Baker let a ball past him to allow Anthony Rendon to advance to third. Beeler then uncorked a wild pitch that let Rendon score. Since the hitter, Ryan Zimmerman, struck out to end the inning, the run counts as unearned because Rendon would not have scored on the strikeout.
The Cubs bullpen then surrendered two runs in the eighth inning, and the Nationals won 3-0. Gio Gonzalez (5-4) won it, and Rafael Soriano picked up his 19th save.
This game sums up the Cubs’ last few seasons: good starting pitching, late bullpen failure, and lack of offense. Although the Cubs have scored some runs of late and did enter the day with a winning home record, their offense ranks 13th in the National League in runs scored. They stepped it up some in June (9th in the N.L.), but they still are not a team that will score many runs overall. They hope to change that when the young talent such as Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler, Javier Baez, and Arismendy Alcantara make it up to stay.
Except for taking the arguably undeserved loss, Beeler had quite a successful Major League debut. If he stays with the Cubs or returns to them soon, he will have to get used to pitching well and getting little run support — just ask Jeff Samardzija.
PHOTO CREDIT: Chicago Cubs, cubs.mlb.com