Manuel called it "one of those days," and while the characterization was accurate, it did little to soothe Lee. The lefty seemed particularly perturbed about Chris Denorfia's steal of home, which highlighted a four-run second inning that ultimately led to his undoing.
Denorfia spent most of the last two games of this four-game series as one of those pesky ballplayers who just seems to pester a particular opponent. In the Phillies' 5-3 victory on Sunday afternoon, he robbed Raul Ibanez of a home run with a highlight-reel catch over the centerfield wall. Yesterday, he helped produce two of the Padres' four runs in the second inning, singling home Rob Johnson, advancing to second on the throw, then stealing third and home to give San Diego a 3-1 lead. Denorfia swiped home by taking advantage of Lee's pickoff move, breaking for the plate when the pitcher paused, stared at first, then threw to Ryan Howard. Howard threw home, but Denorfia slid in well ahead of the tag.
Lee said later that the pickoff play had been called by catcher Carlos Ruiz. When Lee prepared to throw to first, he saw that Jason Bartlett was close to the bag, so he tossed the ball softly to Howard.
"They gave me the pick sign, I threw it to first, he ran home," Lee said. "That's it. I saw that he wasn't running, so I threw an easier throw to first. That's the first time that's ever happened. I didn't even consider that as a possibility right there. Obviously, the next time I'm in that situation I need to make more of a firm throw to first."
