Vásquez held the Pirates to one run over five frames despite giving up six hits and walking five batters to just three strikeouts. He’d end his day after five innings at 89 pitches. The 26-year-old right-hander will take a 3.90 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and a 13/24 K/BB ratio across 32 1/3 innings into a start against the Rockies in Colorado on Friday.

Vásquez struck out just one today. Because he’d completely evaded the home run ball until giving up one to Taylor Walls, of all people, today, he’s managed a respectable 4.28 ERA in spite of a horrible 9/17 K/BB ratio in 27 1/3 innings this season. His rotation spot really ought to be hanging on by a thread.

The bill had to come due to Vásquez, who entered the night with a 1.74 ERA in spite of a 4.29 FIP, a 5.71 xERA and a 6.83 SIERA. It looks like it’ll be a few more weeks before the Padres have to make a decision on who to remove from the rotation, either Vásquez or Kyle Hart, when Yu Darvish comes back, and anything could happen before then. Vásquez is due to face the Rays next.

Vásquez worked two quiet innings before escaping a bases-loaded jam in the third. He kept the Cubs bats in check for two more frames before leaving with two runners on and no outs in the sixth 80 pitches. He scattered seven hits and two walks while striking out two. The 26-year-old right-hander holds a 1.74 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and an 8/14 K/BB ratio across 20 2/3 innings. Vásquez will look to avoid some regression when he takes on the Tigers in Detroit on Monday.