Randy Wells has pitched 44.1 career innings, posting an outstanding career ERA of just 1.64.

He has started 6 games this season, with an ERA of just 1.86.   He has never allowed more than three runs in any appearance of his career.

However, Wells has yet to find his first win, thanks to an unlucky combination of poor offense and poor bullpen pitching in the games he has started.

In fact, Wells’ record stands at 0-2, a record that you might expect for a pitcher who is just getting into the starting rotation.  However, the rest of his stats tell a completely different story.

Wells didn’t allow a run until his 14th inning on the year.  That’s almost two shut-outs to start a career.

In Wells’ two losses, the Cubs scored a combined two runs, while Wells allowed a combined five runs in 14 innings.

Wells has left four games with a lead and has yet to get a win.  In fact, the Cubs are just 2-4 in games that Wells start.

The worst bullpen performance in a Wells start was against the Houston Astros in his second start.  Wells allowed no runs over six innings, then watched as Kevin Gregg allowed back-to-back home runs in the ninth.

After hitting a batter, Aaron Heilman came in and allowed a game-tying home run, leaving Wells with another no-decision.

Despite all of Wells’ great starts (he has five quality starts in a row), he has yet to pull off his first win.

“You can’t pitch any better than he has,” manager Lou Piniella said after the bullpen blew a lead against the Atlanta Braves. “He should be 4-0.”

However, the 6-3, 230 pound Illinois native will have to wait for his first win, and as games go by, one wonders how long until the bullpen can finally come through for this newcomer.

-Joe Willett