Eddie Butler, remember Eddie Butler, had a similar performance that was actually seven innings, but that ended in a terrible extra-inning loss. Luke Farrell pitched five shutout innings Saturday against the New York Mets and boy did it save the Chicago Cubs bullpen.
The offense finally broke through in the 14th and scored six runs. Brandon Morrow got the last three outs and the Cubs won 7-1. Yes, Mike Montgomery deserves a lot of credit as well for going toe-to-toe with Jacob DeGrom, but Farrell was the hero of that Saturday night game.
The bullpen was down to three pitchers and Morrow was only used as an emergency, but starting in the ninth Farrell shut down the Mets. There weren’t many hard hit balls and in the 13th, he got out of his only big jam, getting a ground ball with the bases loaded to end the threat.
Overall, Farrell pitched five innings in relief, allowed two hits, walked two and struck out seven batters.
In the past 40 seasons, only one other pitcher accomplished what Farrell did on Saturday in the National League.
Two of the all-time greats. pic.twitter.com/NRw4wV6Dcs
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) June 3, 2018
OK, maybe Randy Johnson striking out 16 and allowing only one hit in seven innings of relief was slightly more impressive, but how about Luke Farrell being able to say he was in the same category for at least one game with a Hall of Fame pitcher.
Here’s the thing about Johnson’s relief outing. He was basically starting the game. The Arizona Diamondbacks were playing the San Diego Padres on July 18, 2001, and there were two electrical explosions that knocked out a light tower at Qualcomm Stadium. The game was delayed and didn’t resume until the following day and that’s when Johnson replaced the previous day’s starter Curt Schilling.
So yes, what I’m saying is Luke Farrell’s relief performance was more impressive because it was more of an actual relief situation.
Guys, I’m joking, settle down.
The important thing is that Farrell stepped up and not only kept the Cubs in it until they scored, but the bullpen was saved and thanks to seven more shutout innings by Jon Lester on Sunday and a day off today, the bullpen should be fully rested as the Cubs start a home stand Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies.
But hey, Randy Johnson and Luke Farrell all alone is still pretty impressive.
