MILWAUKEE — As National League opponents become more familiar with Hector Rondon, the Cubs’ closer realizes he needs to provide a different look.
“Everybody knows I always throw fastballs, so I’m going to start throwing breaking balls early in the count,” Rondon said Saturday night.
Rondon’s slider will be displayed more prominently, especially after he struggled with his control Friday night in the ninth inning of a 7-6 victory over the Brewers.
Rondon walked two of the first three batters he faced before allowing a three-run homer to Ryan Braun. Manager Joe Maddon believed Rondon threw 19 consecutive fastballs at one point.
When asked if catcher Miguel Montero called for pitches others than fastballs, Rondon paused before replying, “sometimes. But I would shake him off, and sometimes I’d throw (what he called).”
Rondon’s erratic pitching could be attributed to the inconsistent work he has received. He has pitched only three times since April 26, and he said the lack of consistent work (stemming from the lack of save chances) has affected his rhythm.
Rondon threw only 27 of 52 pitches for strikes in his last two outings Wednesday and Friday.
Meanwhile, Maddon said he spoke with Montero about Rondon’s pitch selection and thinks Rondon wouldn’t have labored if he had thrown a few sliders during that 19-pitch stretch.
Stop the sirens: Maddon insisted reliever Pedro Strop won’t maintain the pace he’s on to appear in 93 games this season.
“I never really worry about it because that has a cruel tendency to balance its way out,” Maddon said. “And you give these guys the necessary time off.”
Maddon said Strop’s usage stems from the fact the Cubs have been in a position to win several games.
Ted Abernathy (1965), Dick Tidrow (’80) and Bob Howry (2006) share the single-season franchise record of 84 appearances.
