Taillon gets back on track with six-frame, one-hit gem
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CHICAGO -- Jameson Taillon knows, at this point in the season, his numbers are not going to get to where he’s used to seeing them in his career.
But that doesn’t mean Taillon can’t finish strong, and although his first season on the North Side has not gone as hoped, he can still play a key role in the Cubs’ push for the playoffs -- and potential run in October.
Taillon threw six scoreless innings Friday against the D-backs at Wrigley Field, allowing one hit and a walk on just 77 pitches. He struck out nine, a season high, and carried a no-hit bid through 5 2/3 innings.
The Cubs lost, 1-0, as Arizona ace Zac Gallen threw a complete game shutout.
- Games remaining: vs. AZ (2), at COL (3), at AZ (3), vs. PIT (3), vs. COL (3), at ATL (3), at MIL (3)
- Standings update: The Cubs (76-66) are three games behind the Brewers (78-62) for first place in the NL Central. The Cubs and Brewers have split the season series so far, so the tiebreaker has not yet been determined. Chicago sits in the second Wild Card spot, trailing the Phillies (77-63) by two games, but holding a two-game lead over the third-seeded D-backs (74-68). The Marlins, Reds and Giants are also in the hunt. The Cubs have won the tiebreaker over San Francisco, but lost it to Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Miami. They have five games left against Arizona.
“I've kind of come to grips with the fact that my numbers aren't going to get to where I'm used to seeing them and stuff -- and that doesn't really matter,” Taillon said. “We're in a playoff hunt right now. All that matters is my next start for myself, and all that matters for the team is winning and winning tomorrow.
“I'm not concerned with anything except what my next start is. So just building off of this one, and hopefully I can help carry us through this month and push us over the top.”
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Taillon had a strong stretch dating back to his last outing of the first half against the Yankees. From July 7-Aug. 8, he compiled a 2.17 ERA in six starts, with 30 strikeouts and 10 walks in 37 1/3 innings.
He posted a 6.84 ERA over his next five starts entering Friday’s outing, during which he surrendered eight home runs in 26 1/3 innings.
Taillon building off of Friday’s performance would obviously be big for the Cubs' rotation, certainly with Marcus Stroman on the injured list and continuing to build back up.
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But his presence as a veteran with big-game experience, too, also could alleviate any pressure on some of the younger arms in the rotation, such as Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks.
“These veteran guys, this is their time to kind of shine and take some of that load off guys,” pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said. “He knows -- like we've talked about it -- at this point in the year, the numbers aren't going to be where you wanted them to be to start the year.
“But that doesn't mean you can't end the season on a high note. That doesn't mean you can't make some big outings and huge games as we get down the stretch.”
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Friday was an October-worthy pitchers' duel between Taillon and Gallen. Gallen didn’t allow a hit for 4 1/3 innings.
With a rested bullpen, manager David Ross went to Julian Merryweather in the seventh; Merryweather proceeded to strike out the side. Jose Cuas took over in the eighth and allowed a single and walk to start the inning.
Mark Leiter Jr. came on and nearly got out of the jam to keep things scoreless. Corbin Carroll dropped a two-out RBI single into right field, just out of a sliding Seiya Suzuki’s reach.
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“Game of inches,” Ross said. "In an environment like that, putting guys on base comes back to bite you at times. A play just out of reach that went their way today.
“Two really good pitching matchups. That’s as good as I’ve seen Jamo. He threw great.”
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Taillon acknowledged he was aware of how Gallen was pitching, and that one run could be the difference.
He did his job Friday, and the Cubs will need more of the same in the coming weeks.
“That’s a good team,” Taillon said. “They're in it for a reason. Zac Gallen’s one of the best pitchers in the National League -- maybe in all of baseball. We ran into a tough situation today. I still like where we're at and everything.
“September baseball is meant to be played close games and stuff like that, so every inch matters. It's going to be a fun next couple of weeks.”