Roughed-up Lester: ‘Weakest hyperlink’ in Cubs rotation

CHICAGO — After giving up 10 earned runs — the second most in any begin of his profession — Chicago Cubs left-hander Jon Lester known as himself the “weakest hyperlink” within the staff’s rotation.

“I really feel like they’d a greater plan than I did,” Lester mentioned Tuesday of the Oakland Athletics hitters. “Plain and easy. They executed their plan and earlier than we may make the adjustment there’s eight runs up there.”

Oakland despatched 12 batters to the plate throughout an eight-run second inning, then plated three extra within the fourth on a Stephen Piscotty residence run. Dustin Garneau additionally knocked in three with a protracted ball in Oakland’s 11-Four win.

“What occurred is I gave up 11 runs, so it would not matter how I really feel,” Lester mentioned. “Does not matter a few sport plan, would not matter about executing pitches, would not matter about something. I gave up 11 runs, so it actually would not matter.”

Lester has given up 35 hits over his previous 4 begins, and his ERA has ballooned to Four.46. He was requested concerning the accidents to the Cubs’ bullpen however pivoted the dialog again to him.

“When it comes all the way down to it, the accidents are the accidents, however I am just about the weakest hyperlink within the rotation proper now and have to determine a technique to proper the ship, choose my find yourself, and do higher,” Lester mentioned. “Flat-out do higher.

“Our rotation has pitched nicely, aside from me.”

Cubs supervisor Joe Maddon mentioned he did not learn a lot into the outing.

“Jon has been there earlier than,” he mentioned. “This can be a waste can type of an evening. You simply dump it and transfer on.”

There was one vivid spot within the loss, which snapped a four-game Cubs profitable streak. Reliever Duane Underwood struck out all six batters he confronted in his season debut with the staff.

“Out of some unhealthy, some good happens,” Maddon mentioned.

Added Lester: “That was spectacular. He most likely ought to have began the sport.”