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Yankees knock Cubs' Anderson out in first, win 11-6

There's a reason we keep harping on the stat of quality starts in this space.

If your team gets them, it wins. If your team doesn't get quality starts, it's asking for trouble.

Consider the Chicago Cubs to be asking for big trouble these days.

Left-hander Brett Anderson made another short start Saturday night against the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field.

After working just 1⅓ inning against the Phillies last Monday, Anderson could not get out of the first Saturday, as he went just one-third of an inning and gave up 6 hits and 5 runs. The Yankees went on to win the game 11-6.

Anderson left the game accompanied by an athletic trainer. The Cubs said Anderson experienced tightness in his lower back.

The Cubs have played 30 games, and they have gotten only 10 quality starts. Last season, they had 21 quality starts through their first 30 games and were 24-6. Today, the Cubs are 16-14 overall and 9-11 when they don't get a quality start.

Things finished on a somewhat amusing note with catcher Miguel Montero pitching the ninth inning for the Cubs.

"The last two starts here have been embarrassing from my perspective," said Anderson, who has a history of back problems and who said he felt the back tighten during the first inning. "This feels a little bit different. Different side. A little bit higher up. Hopefully it's not a disc issue."

Manager Joe Maddon said Anderson is likely facing a stint on the disabled list. Reliever Mike Montgomery is one possibility to replace Anderson in the rotation.

"The biggest thing for me is just to get our starters more deeply into the game," Maddon said. "As of right now, if you look at our bullpen, if you actually look at the numbers, easily the best bullpen in the National League on a lot of different fronts. And they've actually been pitching too often.

"Really, to make this all right, we've just got to get our starting pitching straightened out. Last year, if you remember, the bullpen didn't pitch a whole lot because the starters were so good. And I thought that's what kept the bullpen really solid during the course of the season. With the starting (pitchers) pitching so well, there was not as much emphasis of having to score so many runs because they were that good."

The Yankees sent nine men to the plate in the first. Anderson left after he gave up a 2-run double to No. 7 hitter Chase Headley. Felix Pena relieved Anderson and worked the next 3⅔ innings before he gave way to Rob Zastryzny, who was called up from Class AAA Iowa before the game. Zastryzny wound up pitching 4 innings before Montero mopped up.

"We're a little short in the bullpen," said Montero, who walked two but did not give up a run. "I was willing to help the team even if it needed to be a little bit earlier in the game."

Anderson took note.

"Whenever the catcher or backup catcher gets more outs than you, that's not a positive," he said.

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