Errant pitches connected an all-star outfielder, veteran reliever and enemy slugger Tuesday.
Matt Holliday walked into the clubhouse with a smile, an MRI confirming his left wrist struck by a Claudio Vargas fastball wasn’t fractured. He hopes to return to the lineup tonight if he can swing a bat.
Jose Mesa, the 40-year-old bullpen sage, lamented his hanging slider to Eric Byrnes, but offered no remorse for the fastball that struck Diamondbacks star Luis Gonzalez in the shoulder.
Consider it a delightful blend of good news and bad moods as the Rockies-Diamondbacks rivalry continues to bubble.
“It’s just a bone bruise, no breaks. It still hurts, though,” said Holliday, who is considering wearing protective gear to prevent further injury. “I’ll see how it feels (today). If I can hit, I want to play.”
Holliday, replaced in the lineup by Ryan Spilborghs, downplayed his cameo in the latest version of basebrawl that played out Monday night. He didn’t think Vargas drilled him on purpose. Gonzalez, however, was convinced that Mesa’s fastball was retribution for two Rockies hitters plunked earlier in the game. His rub was not that he got hit, but where.
“I knew in my mind that it was coming, but I kind of figured it would be waist down, especially after he already broke (Craig Counsell’s) rib earlier this season,” Gonzalez said. “I told him to hit me low. Then he yelled something at me and went ballistic.”
Mesa refused comment about the verbal exchange, but waved off the Diamondbacks’ complaints. He doesn’t expect to be disciplined by the league.
“Why would I be? No, I don’t see that. I don’t care what the (Diamondbacks) say,” Mesa said. “You have to pitch inside or you won’t survive.”
The past week has been notable for Mesa’s absence and a misstep. He didn’t pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers or Chicago Cubs in critical late-inning situations, passed over in favor of rookie Manuel Corpas. And Byrnes’ three-run home run Monday spoiled a spectacular outing by Jeff Francis.
“I warmed up (Sunday against Chicago), but the kid deserves a chance. Baseball is a crazy game, weird stuff happens. I need to do a better job,” said Mesa, one of the league’s best setup men in the first half. “I feel terrible for Francis. I want that pitch back.”
Footnotes
The Rockies are not currently pursuing Preston Wilson, released by the Houston Astros. They continue to monitor the center-field market, and wouldn’t mind adding a veteran stabilizer mirroring the Vinny Castilla signing. … Colorado has six games remaining against the New York Mets, the NL’s best team, but is likely to miss Pedro Martinez, who is bothered by a sore right calf, on Saturday.
