Ben Brown’s first-inning ERA was so bad that the Cubs used an opener his last time out, a May 31 victory over the Reds. Craig Counsell’s move worked wonders, with Drew Pomeranz starting strong and Brown holding it down after that. Like, to the tune of six shutout innings with one walk and nine strikeouts.

Counsell removed the safety net on Friday night, giving Brown the start despite his 9.90 first-inning ERA.  The 25-year-old right-hander rewarded his manager’s faith with a nine-pitch first inning that launched a dominant, quality start that resulted in a disappointing outcome.

Although Brown was given the loss in the opening game of a three-game set at Comerica Park, he has taken positive steps in the right direction in his past two outings.

It’s impossible to argue that he was really, really good on a night where he faced reigning AL Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal.

Brown’s line proves that point. He allowed two earned runs, one walk and struck out seven over seven innings. With the Cubs’ hard-charging offense, that’s good enough to win most games. Not this one, which was a true pitcher’s duel with a playoff-like atmosphere, despite being in early June.

“That was definitely the most high-leverage intensity I’ve ever pitched to my life,” Brown told reporters on-site for Friday’s game. “…That was electric. Tons of fans. I loved it. They were into every pitch. Obviously, when Skubal’s pitching. It’s a different monster too. So, yeah, that was — I don’t know, I’ve never been in the playoffs before, but I can’t imagine it feeling much different than that.”

Brown stood tall in that moment. He gave up a run-scoring single and a solo home run to the best team in baseball right now. It’s a positive sign that the Cubs are starting to get the best out of a super-talented individual who they’ll need pitching consistently over the long haul.

Brown’s overall stats aren’t good after some rough outings, but his last two appearances are. He has a 1.38 ERA, a 0.77 WHIP and 16 strikeouts to just two walks over 13 innings. That’s excellent by any standard.

“The last two starts, we’ve gotten the great Ben Brown,” Counsell said. “That’s a great sign for us and a big step for us. And it’s a big boost of confidence for Ben. And a credit to him. Things had kind of gone off the rails a little bit for three or four starts and he has come back and arguably delivered his best two (starts) of the year. Really happy about that and happy for Ben.”

Brown had given up 19 earned runs over the four starts before this two-appearance rebound, and hadn’t completed more than 5.1 innings in that span.

Brown has been working with the team on mental and mechanical aspects of his game, which proved fruitful in the last two outings. While the loss may not be celebrated in Chicago, Brown finding quality form is crucial as the season progresses.

“I think I’m getting close to where I was last year,” Brown told reporters. “I feel good, you know, on the same side, working on mechanical stuff as well. It’s not like it’s just mental game. We’re just getting better. And kudos to the trainers and coaches here that are kind of keeping me in good shape and getting me primed to go out there pitch every couple days.”