Chico Showed Up By Big Z
What’s wrong with Chico from the Nationals?
Chico had his third consecutive subpar outing in the Nationals’ 7-0 loss to the Cubs on Saturday. He lasted four innings and gave up five runs on eight hits, falling to 0-5. In his last three games, Chico has allowed 16 runs in 13 innings.
Chico didn’t execute his pitches in the first two innings. In the top of the first inning, which lasted 18 minutes, the Cubs scored three runs. Mark DeRosa highlighted the scoring with a two-run single. The next inning was just as bad, as Chico gave up a two-run double to Derrek Lee.
Chico, who never established his fastball in the game, agreed with St. Claire’s assessment that he is pressing on the mound.
“I think I’m trying to do too much. I just have to settle down and let everything happen,” Chico said. “I’m trying to get out of the rut that I’m in.”
Chico hesitantly said that he is not worried about his job.
Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano (Big Z) was on the opposite side of the spectrum. Zambrano held the Nationals to five hits, while striking out five batters. The only time the Nationals made any serious threat was in the first and seventh innings. In the first, Washington had runners on first and third with two outs, but Lastings Milledge struck out to end the inning.
In the seventh, they had runners on second and third with two outs, but Zimmerman struck out swinging.
“He comes right after you,” catcher Johnny Estrada said. “He pounds the strike zone. He believes in his fastball. It’s overpowering. It’s good enough to get you out. He doesn’t go out there throwing meatballs. He locates from both sides of the plate. He rarely pitches in patterns.”
Nationals fans don’t want any more losing lopsided performances from their starting pitcher. They were ready to celebrate in their new ballpark with their Washington Nationals merchandise but it doesn’t look like they will be doing much of anything but watching in disbelief.