By Jeff Wilson
Frogs Today senior writer
Starting pitchers have two goals whenever they take the ball.
First, give his team a chance to win. Next, last longer than the opposing starter.
One usually takes care of the other.
It’s only been five games, but TCU’s starters are hitting their goals.
Staff ace Austin Krob took his turn Friday night, tossing six scoreless innings to help send the Horned Frogs past Nebraska, 4-1, to open a three-game series at Globe Life Field.
“He probably could have gone longer,” TCU coach Kirk Saarloos said. “He was at 80 pitches but I thought it was time. We’ll start building him up so he can go 100 pitches, but not quite yet.”
Krob (1-0) allowed only two hits and three walks while striking out six. It was an improvement on his performance last week in the season opener, when he tossed four scoreless innings but fought some control issues.
In five starts covering 27 innings, TCU’s four starters have allowed only two earned runs. That’s a 0.67 ERA.
Right-hander Riley Cornelio allowed the two runs last Saturday in a no-decision in the MLB4 Tournament. He is scheduled to start Game 2 on Saturday against the Cornhuskers.
“Starting pitching, you’re only as good as your next day starting pitcher,” Saarloos said. “So, we’re expecting Riley to go out and be in character and do the same thing.”
The starters going deep into games with leads can afford Saarloos a chance to sort out the roles at the back of the bullpen.
The lone Nebraska run came in the seventh against Luke Savage. TCU (4-1) used four relievers, including closer River Ridings. He got the final out in the eighth to leave the bases loaded, and stranded two more in the ninth for his second save.
