Cubs left-hander Justin Steele began strolling off the field before the fly ball to left field came down for the final out of the third inning. Nothing about his demeanor suggested the inning had been a turning point in his start.
Steele, who was challenged early in the season by pitching coach Tommy Hottovy to retire as many batters as he could in three pitches or fewer, had come to expect quick innings from himself.
