Lefty reliever Chuck McElroy, untouchable for much of the season`s first two months, has suddenly become hittable.
He`s allowed runs in each of his last four outings-a total of 10 runs, four of them earned, in a 5 1/3-inning stretch. Manager Jim Essian voiced his concern after McElroy yielded a two-run home run to Kal Daniels in Monday night`s Cub loss to the Dodgers.
”I don`t know what it is,” Essian said. ”He seemed to have done pretty well after the home run. As far as his last few outings, not what we`re used to seeing.”
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McElroy pitched so well until recently that Essian had toyed with the idea of moving him into Bob Scanlan`s spot in the starting rotation. Those plans appear to be on hold for now. Essian said he was considering viewing videotapes of McElroy`s last few outings to see if he could pick up any clues. Part of the problem could be pitch selection, a skill that takes time and experience to develop. McElroy, 23, has pitched in only 25 major-league games. ”He`s a key guy in that bullpen for us against left-handed hitters,”
Essian said.