We’re into the bullpens now and, strangely, things appear to have settled down. Maybe those rookie starting pitchers had some jitters despite what Kyle Kendrick told us yesterday.
Nonetheless, Kyle Lohse retired four in a row after giving up the grand slam to Kaz Matsui. From my seat it looks like Jose Mesa is warming up in the bullpen. It will be quite interesting to hear the reaction from the fans when Joe Table gets into the game in the sixth.
Josh Fogg, the starting pitcher from the Rockies’ playoff win over the Padres last Monday, relieved Franklin Morales to start the fourth. So far the only mar on his two innings was a single by Chase Utley to end his oh-fer. Chase was 1-for-12 and 0-for-8 heading into that two-out single in the fifth.
So Mesa entered the game and threw three straight balls before giving up a leadoff walk.
I’m curious why Charlie went with Mesa instead of Tom Gordon since he had been using Flash in the sixth the last few games.
But the leadoff walk was as good as it got for Mesa and the Phillies. A walk to Ryan Spilborghs followed by a double to Yorvit Torrealba made it 8-3 and forced the crowd to begin the ever popular, “MESA SUCKS!” chant.
Come on, sing along!
When Charlie went to get Mesa the crowd went with the old standby:
BOO!
I’m sure it was a coincidence, but when Mesa walked off and Clay Condrey entered, the PA blasted the song, “Disco Inferno” with the popular refrain, “Burn, baby, burn…”
They aren’t talking about the bullpen are they?
Condrey quickly made it 9-3 when Matsui tripled. Now he needs a single for the cycle.
Is Flash hurt?