Jharel Cotton is still going through growing pains and we need to remember to be patient with him and the rest of the young staff this season. Cotton managed to show a great deal of potential while simultaneously getting godawful results, surrendering 7 runs in the first 4 innings and also striking out 7.
Cotton looked absolutely masterful for his first 6 pitches, striking out Escobar and Calhoun with ease and using all of his pitches flawlessly. I know it’s only 6 pitches, but it’s probably the best 6 consecutive pitches we’ve seen all year...which made it all the more surprising when Pujols absolutely blasted a changeup to left field and gave the Angels a first inning lead.