Cubs' Ross Says Fulmer Was Supposed to Pitch Around Dodgers' Peralta in Loss Saturday

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross wanted relief pitcher Michael Fulmer to pitch around Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder David Peralta, the skipper told reporters after the Cubs' 2-1 loss Saturday night at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

Despite entering the bottom of the ninth inning with a 1-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs suffered a 2-1 loss Saturday night, thanks to a walk-off single from Dodgers outfielder David Peralta.

Cubs manager David Ross called upon reliever Michael Fulmer in a save situation in the ninth.

After getting designated hitter J.D. Martinez to fly out to center field for the inning's first out, Fulmer gave up a pair of hits to James Outman and Miguel Vargas, putting runners on first and second with only one out.

With first base open, the Cubs elected to pitch former Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward. Fulmer struck out Heyward for the inning's second out.

With shortstop Miguel Rojas due up, Dave Roberts opted to pinch-hit Peralta for Rojas, with catcher Austin Barnes on deck. Barnes has yet to record a hit in 2023, and is 0-for-16 in 17 plate appearances to begin the season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Dodgers starting catcher Will Smith was unavailable to play Saturday, dealing with an undisclosed illness.

Instead of walking Peralta to face Barnes, Fulmer went after the Dodgers outfielder and paid the price.

Ross says that it wasn't his decision to attack Peralta and that he wanted his closer to pitch around him.

“The decision is to pitch around him, walk him,” Ross said. “Barnes (is next); they’ve got some pinch hitters on the bench. You know, who knows what Will Smith is and where he’s at? We can guess on that all day long. You got an open base, trying to be careful, and he jumped a cutter from the get-go and found a hole.”

Had Ross' message been to pitch-around Fulmer, it was not received, as Fulmer pitched to Peralta, giving up the game-winning hit.

“It was definitely a mistake,” Fulmer said. “You have a base open. I’m not sure who was on deck, but (I) had all the room in the world to work with on the inner half. Even if he was sitting on that pitch from last time still, I can execute a little better and either get (him to) take ball one or get a rollover. Just didn’t work out.”

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