What Boston Red Sox’ Lucas Giolito ‘hates’ is backed up by statistics

CHICAGO — Starter Lucas Giolito, who hadn’t pitched in eight days, wasn’t sharp in the first inning Friday.

Giolito allowed three runs before recording an out. He and the Red Sox lost 4-1 to the Cubs at Wrigley Field in the first game following the All-Star break.

“I hate extra days of rest but that’s our season,” Giolito said. “I mean, we have a break. You get used to it. I’m thinking, ‘What could I have done better to prepare?’ Nothing really. I mean, I just needed to be better. So hopefully the boys pick me up tomorrow (and) we still win the series. But definitely not proud of that.”

The numbers show Giolito hasn’t been effective when he pitches on extended rest. He has a 4.82 ERA (222 innings, 119 runs) in 42 career starts when he has pitched on six or more days of rest. He has a 4.08 ERA in 82 career starts on regular rest.

“There’s no excuse like extra days off or anything,” Giolito said. “I need to be ready to go. We were trying to use the changeup early, and it was popping out of my hand. I didn’t have feel for it. Kind of spraying the fastball, too. And just deep counts leading to walks.”

Giolito’s 30-pitch first inning began with him walking the first two batters, then giving up a 389-foot three-run homer to Seiya Suzuki.

“That’s a bad way to start the series and the second half,” Giolito said. “I’ve gotta be a tone setter. I didn’t do that. Two walks and a home run — three runs in the first inning — puts us on our heels. So gotta be better than that.”

Giolito tossed 5 ⅓ innings, allowing four runs, five hits and two walks while striking out six. He recorded 14 swings and misses.

He said he initially was “not locked in enough.”

“Out of sync mechanically,” Giolito said. “I was kind of in and out of sync mechanically the whole game, but I was able to grind through.”