If Phillies fans expect Utley to serve as the role of savior, Thresher fans may have prepared him for what to expect if he doesn't get the job done.
Boos reigned down on Bright House Field after Utley capped off an 0-for-5 night in his first minor league rehab game by striking out swinging with the winning run on base to end the ninth. It was the third straight strikeout for Utley as he began the final step, a rehab assignment, Monday night in a 4-3 10-inning Threshers' loss to the Tampa Rays.
In his first at-bat, Utley fouled out weakly to first on a 1-2 count to end the first inning. In the fourth inning, he flew out to left just in front of the warning track in an at-bat that featured all fastballs (six).
Utley's third at-bat came in the sixth inning when starting pitcher and former Lenape H.S. (Mount Laurel, NJ) star Sean Black struck him out looking in a six-pitch at-bat that saw Utley never pull the trigger.
After Black held Utley hitless in three at-bats, the relief was equally tough on Clearwater's designated hitter. Southpaw Aaron Dott set down Utley on six pitches in the seventh inning. With a runner on second, Dott got Utley to chase a curveball out of the zone to end the inning.
In his final at-bat, Utley struck out again with a man on first and the game tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth.
E-mail Marshall Harris at mharris@comcastsportnset.