Zac Gallen wasn't nearly 100% when he took the mound on Sunday for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The former UNC baseball star admitted this after the game, one in which he threw seven innings en route to his Diamondbacks defeating the playoff-bound Philadelphia Phillies.
Gallen struggled out of the gate, allowing two earned runs in the first inning. However, he was able to settle down, needing just 103 pitches to complete his seven innings of work, striking out 9 batters in the process.
Here is what Gallen had to say regarding this past week and how he was feeling on the mound:
"Kind of an odd one. Been sick all week, so didn't really think I had much gas in the tank. I feel like that was somewhat apparent.
"[It was] kind of taking its toll on me, but just felt like I needed to go out there and give the guys 100 pretty solid pitches to give them a chance to win. ... If the result's like that and you've got to be sick, I'll take it."
The former Tar Heel admitted that he was out of gas in the seventh inning, but found a way to finish strong for his team.
"I joked with [catcher James McCann] in the seventh. He came out, took me out on visit, and I was like, 'I'm cooked.' And he's like, 'We've got one more guy.' So made a good pitch to [Harrison] Bader, was able to get us out of the inning and preserve the win."
This season has been quite the struggle for Gallen, as he hasn't been able to replicate the success he's had over the past three seasons. Currently set to become a free agent this offseason, the timing of his struggles hasn't been ideal, but the former Tar Heel has shown flashes of the greatness that still is within him, as Sunday's performance is one that shows that quite vividly.
Gallen should have one more regular season start scheduled, another final audition before he hits the free agent market this winter.