Aug. 23 -- IN-GAME UPDATE

Silky smooth first inning for Fabio Castro. Three-up, three-down. No problems. He walked the bases loaded in the second, but got out of it by striking out Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley (after running the count full) on what should've been ball four. Through two innings, Castro is up to 42 pitches. Billingsley, a hard-throwing right-hander, hasn't allowed a hit.

Had an interesting conversation before the game with bullpen coach Ramon Henderson, who made the suggestion two months ago that Castro become a starter for triple-A Ottawa. Before that, he had been used exclusively as a reliever by the Phillies, in the majors, triple-A and double-A. You can read more about that tomorrow in the 50-center, but if Castro pitches well here today, Henderson will look pretty smart.

(Update, 2:01 p.m.): Castro is up to 69 pitches through four innings. He's allowed only one hit but five walks. Still 0-0, thanks to two double plays turned by the Phils.

(Update, 2:20 p.m.): 1-0, Dodgers. A walk -- to Billingsley -- finally bit Castro. After walking the Dodgers pitcher, Castro allowed a Rafael Furcal RBI double. Ryan Howard isn't having a good day defensively. He failed to turn two double plays earlier in the game, cut a throw to the plate on Furcal's double and nearly threw the ball away trying to get Furcal at third.

(Update, 2:58 p.m.): 1-1, sixth inning. Pat Burrell's two-out double scored pinch-hitter Shane Victorino, who drew a leadoff walk. Castro is out of the game (5 innings, two hits, one run, SIX walks, four Ks). Aaron Rowand could've put the Phillies ahead, but with Burrell on second and Ryan Howard (intentional walk) on first, Billingsley struck out Rowand.

(Update, 3:11 p.m.): 2-1, Dodgers. Well, that was quick. J.C. Romero allowed a leadoff single to .178-hitting Ramon Martinez, and three batters later, Juan Pierre dunked a two-out RBI single into shallow center field.