7/23 All's well with Wells

What a turnaround for Randy Wells. In his last four games, he’s given up four earned runs over 28 2/3 innings for a 1.26 ERA. On Friday, he threw seven shutout innings in sweltering heat to help the Cubs beat the Cardinals, 5-0.

Remember the last time Wells faced the Cardinals? It was May 28 at Wrigley Field and he couldn’t retire a batter, giving up six straight hits to fall behind 5-0.

“I can go home with my head a little higher,” Wells said after Friday’s game. “It’s no secret how good they are. It was all about beating the heat and concentrating on making my pitches.”

He struck out seven, giving up five hits and walking three. Wells has made some mechanical adjustments that have paid off. Lou Piniella said Wells is pitching with more of a downward tilt on the ball and his slider has much better rotation and sharpness to it. He’s mixing his changeup in now.

“It’s been a nice turnaround for him,” Piniella said.

And that late May game?

“That’s not a good game you want to go back to in the video log,” Wells said. “You move on. I’ve been throwing the ball better and that’s in the past.”

– Carrie Muskat