 In 1985 , Smith for the first time dominated the league in strikeouts as a relief pitcher . After averaging fewer than eight strikeouts per nine innings in each prior season , he improved to 10 @.@ 32 in 1985 . He finished the season with a career @-@ high 112 strikeouts in only 97 @.@ 2 innings . Meanwhile , the Cubs were in first place until a 13 @-@ game losing streak from June 12 to June 25 from which they never recovered . 
