Former Astro Velasquez leaves start after 2 pitches
PHILADELPHIA — Vince Velasquez threw two pitches and walked off the mound.
His injury loomed worse than the loss.
John Lackey struck out eight in seven dominant innings, Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist hit homers, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-1 on Wednesday.
Velasquez, who was acquired from the Astros in the offseason deal that sent reliever Ken Giles to Houston, left the game after getting one out because of right biceps soreness. He hasn’t been the same pitcher since a 16-strikeout performance against San Diego on April 14.
“I’m not concerned at all,” Velasquez said. “I have been in this situation before.”
Velasquez will be evaluated Thursday. Lackey was concerned about the young pitcher.
“A lot of times (biceps soreness) is code for elbow,” said Lackey, who had Tommy John surgery a few years ago. “You don’t want to see that happen to anybody.”
Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said he noticed something was wrong in the bullpen and quickly realized Velasquez didn’t have any velocity.
“It’s not worth it,” McClure said about keeping Velasquez in the game.
Catcher Cameron Rupp looked toward the dugout after the first pitch.
“I didn’t want him to throw another pitch,” Rupp said.
Brett Oberholtzer, another of the five players the Phillies received in the Giles trade, replaced Velasquez. In four innings, Oberholtzer (2-1) allowed one unearned run, which followed his error on a throw to second on a potential double-play ball.