Tsuyoshi Wada strikes out career high in less than five innings

By Blair Sheade

SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 20: Tsuyoshi Wada #18 of the Chicago Cubs pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park May 20, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Cubs pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada strikes out a career-high nine batters through 4.2 innings pitched after being called up from Triple-A on Wednesday.

#Cubs Wada's line: 4 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 Ks. Career-high in strikeouts. 69 pitches/45 strikes
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) May 21, 2015

Wada suffered a groin injury during the beginning of the season and was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday. The 34-year-old pitcher, who replaced Travis Wood in the Cubs rotation, posted a 2.86 ERA in six rehab starts in Triple-A.

You could say Tsuyoshi Wada’s favorite movie is...

*puts down sunglasses*

...“Frozen.” pic.twitter.com/lU4LM1JLbM
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 21, 2015

Wada was throwing some nasty stuff striking out nine batters. But Cubs manager Joe Maddon took Wada out after 69 pitches before he gave up the lead because San Diego started hitting him hard.

Wada exits after 4.2 and 69 pitches..leading 3-2. Can't get the win. 9 K's but the hard hits started coming. Long game for the pen now
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) May 21, 2015

By only pitching 4.2 innings, Wada won’t be eligible for the win during his season debut. The Cubs had a 3-2 on the San Diego Padres when Maddon replaced Wada with reliever Justin Grimm.