How Yordano Ventura's great start was still a disappointment
It's probably a good sign when a pitcher with nine career starts gives up three runs over six innings and you're surprised when you read the boxscore. Heading into last night's game between the Padres and Royals, it was easy to imagine all manner of pitching perfection. A twenty strikeout no-hitter? Why not?
After all, Ventura is one of the most promising and exciting pitchers in the game. He toed the rubber at the preeminent pitcher's park in baseball against a truly pathetic Padres lineup. The table was set for something special.
Ventura did not disappoint as the game began, mowing down Padres hitters just as expected. The young fireballer cruised through the first five innings, giving up just two hits and striking out seven. Hitters seemed so concerned with his triple-digit heat that he was able to drop his changeup and curve for strikes, earning timid swings even on imperfect pitches. He threw more curves than usual, spinning the pitch in any count.
To their eternal credit, the Padres touched Ventura for three runs in the sixth inning, as a single-double-home run sequence counted for all their offense. For good measure, Ventura also struck out the side his final inning of the night, giving him a new career high of ten.
His final line of 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, and 10 K looks great, though that one bad pitch (or three bad pitches in a row) undid all the good work of the evening. That he coughed up three runs seemed improbable as he cut through the Padres lineup twice.
Before the season began, Yordano Ventura was big question mark for the Royals. They didn't do much upgrading in the offseason, adding just Jason Vargas to a rotation that lost Ervin Santana. They needed big things from Ventura and he has responded in kind.
Ventura has now allowed a mere nine runs (eight earned) in six starts this season, notching 41 strikeouts against just 11 walks in 36 innings pitched. The Royals offensive failings do not fall at his feet (the team is just 3-3 in his starts.)
Yordano Ventura is now must-see TV for baseball fans. He lights up the radar gun and has the ability to make even the finest, non-Padre big league hitters appear foolish and outclassed. He's good enough that six innings of three run ball is disappointing and almost shocking.
That's rare air. The Royals have something very special in this young right-handed flame thrower. The San Diego Padres learned last night what the rest of the American League will spend the rest of the summer experiencing - when Yordano makes a mistake, don't miss it. You aren't likely to get another one.