Dodgers News: Mike Bolsinger Blames Shellfish For Illness

The Los Angeles Dodgers looked great through four innings on Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

The offense had put up four runs, starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger was cruising and it appeared the Dodgers were on their way to a second straight victory and eighth against the Diamondbacks. However, in the top of the 5th, Bolsinger was set to bat and was pulled in favor of pinch-hitter Alex Guerrero. It was announced on the broadcast that Bolsinger was dealing with food poisoning.

According to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register, the right-hander put the blame on some seafood he had in Miami:

It started that last day in Miami,” Bolsinger said. “I got IV’d up there because I was throwing up and my stomach was feeling bad.

“That’ll teach me to eat oysters again.”

It was the third time in his last four starts that he failed to throw five innings; however, this time was due to illness and not effectiveness. Bolsinger went seven innings, allowing two runs and three hits in his first start against his former team.

Manager Don Mattingly knew of the sickness and was closely monitoring his starter:

Early on we were really worried about him getting through the first inning, to be honest with you,” Mattingly said. “We didn’t know what we were going to get. Each inning was its own adventure. He ends up going four. He was cramping up in the fourth. He really kind of battled through those. He really gave us more than we thought we’d get.”

Once Bolsinger left, the game went downhill for the Dodgers. Three of the five relievers used allowed two or more runs, and the other two were accomplices to the runs scored.

Bolsinger should be ready for his next start this weekend against the New York Mets.