Phillies' Luzardo: 'No one more frustrated than me' amid rough patch

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo is dumbfounded after getting shelled in two consecutive starts.

Luzardo allowed eight earned runs over just 2 1/3 innings in Thursday's 9-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. The poor showing came after he gave up 12 in his previous outing against the Milwaukee Brewers.

"There's something obvious that we're missing when the first 11 starts are lights-out and then the next two are 20 earned runs," Luzardo said, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. "There's got to be something we can find and fix and make that change. It has to happen fast."

Philadelphia acquired Luzardo in an offseason trade with the Miami Marlins. He impressed in his first 11 starts with the team, going at least five innings in all of them while never allowing more than three earned runs.

He went into that disastrous outing against the Brewers having struck out 10 in each of his previous two appearances.

His ERA has ballooned from 2.15 to 4.46 during this stretch.

"I mean, they're just on everything," Luzardo said of opposing hitters. "It almost looks like they know what's coming. So I don't have an answer, but there's no one working harder at finding an answer than me.

"I know how frustrating it is - fan base, teammates and coaching staff, watching that. But there is no one more frustrated than me. I'm trying to find ways to fix it. Like, now. I need it now."

Luzardo is the first Phillies pitcher since Bill Hubbell in 1922 to allow 20 or more earned runs over two starts.

The 27-year-old has a checkered injury history but doesn't believe a physical issue has contributed to his recent struggles.

"I feel healthy, so that's the most frustrating part," he said.

Luzardo's next opportunity to get back on track is likely to be early next week against the Chicago Cubs in Philadelphia.