Edinson Volquez might have just made the worst start in MLB history
A pitcher's career is filled with unforgettable highs and very forgettable lows.
Take right-hander Edinson Volquez, for example. Last October, he shined in the decisive Game 5 of the World Series that clinched the Kansas City Royals' first championship since 1985. On Friday night, however, nothing went right.
Volquez allowed 12 runs (11 earned) on eight hits and three walks in one inning in a blowout loss to the Houston Astros. In fact, he allowed a grand slam and a triple to the same hitter (George Springer) in the first inning.
The good news: It's only one start, and Volquez will be back on the mound in a few days. The bad news: Volquez's ERA jumped by more than a run to 5.15.
Just how bad was it? Historically bad:
But wait, there's more. As CBS Sports notes, Volquez's minus-18 Game Score on Friday ranks as the 15th-worst of all-time. However, all but two of those terrible scores came before World War 2 and the other recent disaster was a five-inning effort.
Credit Volquez for facing the music afterward.
"Everything was in the middle," Volquez told MLB.com. "All my pitches were hanging or going back to the middle. I've been in that situation before. It's not to worry about. I just have to get ready for my next start. Everything was pretty straight. I knew it right away from the get-go. I told [pitching coach] Dave [Eiland], 'I've got nothing.'"
He wasn't kidding.
Edinson Volquez with the 1st start in MLB history (!!!) with 12 runs allowed in 1 inning or less (via @baseball_ref Play Index of course)
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) June 25, 2016
.@astros 9-run 1st inning vs Royals:
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 25, 2016
Triple
RBI single
Single
Out
RBI single
RBI single
BB
Error, run scores
RBI single
Grand Slam
Out
Out
