The fact that Cubs left-hander Justin Steele’s scoreless start Tuesday against the Padres was his least efficient by pitch count this season speaks volumes to the bar he has set for himself.
In the Cubs’ 6-0 victory, Steele limited the Padres to three hits in 5⅓ innings. He left the game to cheers after 98 pitches, and the Cubs finished off their fifth shutout this season, tying the modern-era franchise record for the first 22 games.
