Every pitcher has a night when he just doesn’t have his full command.
If you’re say, Justin Verlander, and you don’t have your command, you power your way with your 96 MPH heater and maybe “get by” with allowing three runs in six innings.
If you’re Zack Greinke throwing 88 MPH “heat,” you’d better hit your spot with almost every pitch. And don’t walk anyone. Because if you walk anyone, and then throw a mistake, there could be dire consequences.
Greinke didn’t have it tonight. Coming into the game with a 1.35 ERA, and having only allowed one walk in thirteen innings, tonight Greinke allowed ten hits and three walks in only 4.