Mesa had great years with the Phillies in 2001 and 2002 saving a total of 87 games. They were good enough to put him in the Top 100 Phillies list. However 2003 was a different story. It was common to hope he wouldn’t “Mesa up.”
He managed to save 24 games in 2003, but it didn’t come easy. He was 5-7 with an ERA of 6.52 and WHIP of 1.78. Opponents batted .296 off the right hander.
At the Vet, Mesa had a 7.76 ERA that year. In 4 innings in September, Mesa allowed 9 earned runs as the Phillies inched closer to a chance at the post season.
Mesa returned to the Phillies in mid 2007 and he had a 5.54 ERA in 40 appearances. Mesa was a huge contributor to the Phillies being swept in the NLDS to the Rockies. He gave up 3 runs in 1/3 of an inning during the NLDS. 2007 would be the last year Mesa pitched in the majors.
