The Philadelphia Phillies found themselves in quite a predicament on Saturday against the Brewers, and at the center of it all was their pitcher, Jesus Luzardo. Somehow, Luzardo was left on the mound to weather a storm that saw him surrender a staggering 12 runs in just 3.1 innings. You’d be forgiven for wondering if everyone in the Phillies' dugout missed the memo about protecting their ace.
Now, let's get one thing straight—leaving a pitcher in to take that kind of pounding isn’t just a hit to his stat line; it’s a potential risk to his health. Luzardo, who clocked in 76 pitches, was certainly under duress, averaging 7.6 pitches per out. This kind of high-stress pitching scenario is the stuff of nightmares for those concerned about arm health.
Luzardo’s rough outing included giving up 12 hits, walking three batters, and even a balk. Add to that the six runs blasted in by two home runs from Rhys Hoskins, and you start to wonder why on earth Luzardo was still out there after that first Hoskins homer.
Pitchers putting in long shifts or carrying heavy loads during blowouts is a relic of the past, and not for the better. Luzardo didn't have a shot at a no-hitter like Johan Santana did years back—a feat which some argue contributed to Santana’s later struggles—so the question lingers: why let it get this far?
Hopefully, Luzardo will bounce back strong in his next start, turning this outing into just a blip on the radar. Injuries can haunt even those with gilded résumés following mighty efforts.
As for the Phillies, it's key they learn from this episode to protect their valuable pitcher. One can only hope that this was a learning moment and not the prelude to something far more worrisome for their bespectacled southpaw.
