Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
David Peterson made his third start of the season on Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Due to last Thursday’s rainout in New York and Monday’s off-day, Peterson was pitching on two extra days of rest. He did not have his best start, lasting only 3 1/3 innings and giving up six runs (three earned) on four hits, and two walks. He also struck out three coming off 10 strikeouts in his previous start.
Peterson held the Cubs hitless and faced the minimum for three innings before things got out of control in the fourth, where he faced seven batters and allowed all six of his runs.
Even though Chicago didn’t hit Peterson particularly hard, he still couldn’t keep the Cubs off the bases in the fourth inning. After striking out Ian Happ to lead off the inning, he allowed his first hit of the night on an infield single by Willson Contreras that came off the bat at 77 mph.
Kris Bryant followed with another 77 mph hit, this time on a soft line drive to center field. Anthony Rizzo kept the line moving with another hit, this one an RBI single that scored Contreras from second base.
Peterson looked like he might get an inning ending double play when he got Javier Baez to hit a 75 mph ground ball to third, but J.D. Davis made a costly fielding error and failed to record even one out on the play. Matt Duffy followed Baez with a bases loaded walk to tie the game.
Peterson’s night ended after he allowed yet another cheap hit, this one a two-RBI 71 mph bloop single off the bat of David Bote that gave the Cubs a 4-2 lead. Robert Gsellman then entered the game and allowed both of Peterson’s inherited runners to score.
Of Peterson’s 62 pitches, he threw 60% sinkers, 19% sliders, 16% changeups, and 5% four-seam fastballs.
His next start is lined up for Tuesday at Citi Field against the Boston Red Sox.
