Cleveland Indians fans expect so much from Shane Bieber that it can end up being shocking when he isn’t perfect.
That was the case Sunday in Seattle when Bieber walked four Mariners and was pulled after only 4.2 innings.
He left with three earned runs to his name and worst of all, only seven strikeouts.
To be clear, seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings is a great night for most pitchers.
However, this ends Bieber’s historic streak of consecutive games with at least eight strikeouts.
Shane Bieber's MLB-record streak of consecutive starts with at least 8 strikeouts is snapped at 20. He had 7 Ks today when pulled.
Bieber was hit for 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 4 walks in 4 2/3 innings, his shortest start since June 9, 2019, when he was knocked out in the 2nd.
— Ryan Lewis (@ByRyanLewis) May 16, 2021
It was also his shortest start in quite some time.
Laboring on the Mound Once Again
The strikeouts have stole the headlines for Bieber so far in 2021.
But he sure did throw a lot of pitches to keep the streak alive.
Just think back to his last start, which came Tuesday in Cleveland.
Bieber threw a whopping 121 pitches in 6.2 innings of work.
He is capable of doing that, however, such a workload will catch up him sooner than later.
Shane Bieber, 93mph Fastball (Foul) and 85mph Knuckle Curve (Swinging K), Overlay. pic.twitter.com/Do3tJnQOnS
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 16, 2021
It also makes zero sense to have your ace throw over 120 pitches in a game where he isn’t chasing a no-hitter.
Bieber went over 100 pitches Sunday and his first start of the season back on Opening Day is the only time this year he finished in the double-digits.
Terry Francona may want to let off the gas a bit and rely on his bullpen the way he does when the rest of the starting rotation takes the mound.
The last thing this team needs is for Bieber to lose his edge or even deal with an injury because he is throwing too much in April and May.
Still an Average Outing
Bieber only allowed three earned runs Sunday and the bullpen held the Mariners at that three-run total.
The offense was the problem, as it has been in most losses this season.
The team went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and blew a perfect bases loaded opportunity in the seventh inning.
Eddie Rosario may be the most disappointing player of all.
He was the front office’s main offseason signing and so far is batting .206 with three home runs on the year.
Rosario had a chance to pick up a clutch hit in the ninth Sunday.
He proceeded to groundout and that was the game.
Bieber is going to need the offense to score more than two runs to win on most nights.
That is true for every pitcher on most teams in baseball.
But this is just the way the season has gone.
The offense also can’t expect Bieber to bail them out every single team.
The Indians won 3-2 in his last start and like we said earlier, he threw 121 pitches.
This four-game set in Seattle ended up being a bit of a dud.
Hopefully, the team learned some lessons along the way.
Looking at you, Tito.
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