Narveson shaky in return to rotation

CHICAGO -- Making his return to the Milwaukee Brewers' starting rotation Monday night after a second stint in the bullpen, lefty Chris Narveson wasn't quite himself as the Chicago Cubs put a delay on Milwaukee's pursuit of a division title. Thanks to a pair of off days last week, Narveson was bumped temporarily to the bullpen for the second time this season. He impressed with two scoreless innings of relief last Wednesday, giving him three innings of relief this year without allowing any hits. But taking the mound Monday as a starter for the first time since Sept. 8, Narveson seemed a bit off in the 5-2 loss. In just four innings Narveson allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits with three walks. "His overall command just wasn't as good," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "He's been off and on and in and out of the rotation, which makes it tough to get consistent with your stuff. "He was a little bit off from the beginning today." The Brewers actually struck first as Jerry Hairston Jr. hit his first home run, a solo shot, as a member of the team in the third inning. The Cubs, however, got to Narveson in their part of the inning. After a leadoff walk to Carlos Pena, Cubs catcher Geovany Soto took a Narveson changeup out of Wrigley Field for a 2-1 lead. It was the first of two home runs Soto would hit on the day, though the second came off reliever Marco Estrada. Soto did, however, drive in another run off Narveson in the fourth inning. Narveson reluctantly admitted after the game that having not started in a while had him feeling off. "I hate using that as an excuse," Narveson said. "You want to compete and you want to win. When you play the game, you do what you have to do if you want to win. I made a couple mistakes. Obviously I wasn't locating the way I usually feel like I can." Narveson said after being shifted to the bullpen for the second time that preparation is the hardest part about making the switch. Most starting pitchers thrive on the routine that comes with throwing every fifth day and prepare for such mentally. Roenicke mentioned a similar the sentiment Monday night, noting the physical aspect of preparation creates a challenge for shuffled starters as well. "Any time you're moving a guy in and out of the bullpen it's a little tough to maintain the same arm strength, for one," Roenicke said. "You build up to a point where you can go deep in ball games, and now you go in the bullpen and you're not going as deep. You're going one or two innings. It makes a difference." For his part Narveson said his arm strength wasn't an issue Monday, and Roenicke said he would have left him in the game if he had looked sharper at 75 pitches. "I felt like the arm strength was there, but sometimes the mechanics can make you feel a little bit off," Narveson said. "Especially out of the stretch. Sometimes it can be a little different or a little bit of a change. One mistake can cost you, like I did with Soto." The loss Monday marked the first of Narveson's career against the Cubs, as he came in with a 6-0 record and a 3.41 ERA in 12 games, including five starts. He was also 3-0 at Wrigley Field with a 4.15 ERA in eight games (two starts).