Homer Bailey made his first major-league start of the year last week. He lasted less than two innings and allowed eight runs. He made his second major-league start of the year tonight, and it was... better! Definitely better. It sucked, but it was better. (Bailey, as a reminder, is making $19 million this year. He’s owed $44 million over the two years after that.)
Bailey went three innings tonight against the Brewers and only allowed six runs. Progress! But he backslid in one key area: home runs. After allowing zero in his first start, he gave up three tonight. And it was just the start of a serious beating for Cincinnati’s pitching staff.
Ryan Braun, Manny Pina, Jonathan Villar all went yard off of Bailey.
Then it was the bullpen’s turn to give it a go, and they got similarly shelled. Villar hit another home run and was joined by Jesus Aguilar and Domingo Santana. As a unit, they came came one shy of tying Milwaukee’s franchise record of seven dingers in a game.
The Brewers won, 11-3, and Homer Bailey decreased his ERA to 27.00.