Lidge Blows the Comeback
Posted by Amanda Orr, Tue, August 25, 2009 11:51 PM | Comments: 180
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Baseball’s an interesting game. As we saw with Eric Bruntlett’s unassisted triple play, a player can make a mistake, but turn into the hero. A pitcher could be the best closer in baseball one year, but the opposite the next. A team could gain momentum, but it can be reversed quickly.
The Phillies managed to come back in the ninth inning, but just like Matt Capps, Brad Lidge ultimately failed to convert the save in the Phillies 6-4 loss.
On the very first pitch of the game, Jimmy Rollins’ line shot cleared the right-center field seats to put the Phillies on the board. On the first pitch in his second at-bat, Rollins homered again. Two pitches, two home runs.
Joe Blanton pitched a quality start; he lasted six innings allowing three earned runs. However, all three runs came on home runs: Ryan Doumit’s solo shot and Steve Pearce’s two-run blast. Blanton gave up six hits, walked two, and struck out seven.
Ross Olendorf was just as effective. He pitched 6.1 innings and gave up two runs on five hits. The Phillies were 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight men on base. The Phillies trailed 3-2 heading into the top of the ninth.
Capps had trouble in his last appearance against the Phillies. In that game, he blew a 7-3 lead thanks to home runs by Matt Stairs and Ryan Howard. Tonight, neither were due up in the inning, but the bottom of the order provided the damage. Carlos Ruiz started the rally with a double. Ben Francisco drove Ruiz home to tie the game at three.
With two outs, Shane Victorino tripled, scoring Francisco from second. In Little League, coaches stress that the first step is always back. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen did not follow those rules and took the first step in. It was costly. The ball sailed over his head and the go-ahead run scored. McCutchen would get that run back… and more.
With Lidge closing, nothing is a sure thing. Capps already blew his save, but the truth is Lidge has been worse this year. Luis Cruz singled to start the inning against Lidge. That was the beginning of the end.
Brandon Moss singled to right fielder, Jayson Werth. Werth went to scoop up the ball, but bobbled it. Pinch runner, Brian Bixler, rounded the bases and scored from first. Werth fired to the plate. The throw beat the runner, but was off-line so Ruiz could not apply the tag quick enough. Tie game. Blown save, Brad Lidge.
The next batter was McCutchen, who had a chance to redeem himself. He did that, and more. He hit a long drive to straight-away center field. Victorino kept going back, but so did the baseball. It cleared the fence for a walk-off home run.
Lidge blowing saves is becoming a re-occurring nightmare for the Phillies. He is now 0-6 with nine blown saves and an ERA standing at 7.33. There has to be thought as to whether Lidge’s days as a closer are numbered. Either way, the Phillies dropped a game to the lowly, last-place Pirates, a team they must take advantage of.
Posts: 0 philsphan
When will Charlie just stop putting him out there? This is getting ridiculous.
Posted: 11:55 PM on August 25, 2009
Posts: 0 mg52
These ruined ninth innings are no good for the psychology of the fans and the players.
Posted: 11:59 PM on August 25, 2009
Posts: 0 Ron In
I’m telling you. Tonya harding his pitching arm. We have to. Its the only way.
Posted: 12:03 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Jim
One must think this has to be the end of Brad Lidge as a closer for the Phillies. I mean come on, not only did he blow the save this time, but blew a save where the team came back in the top of the 9th… This is a no brainer. 9 blown saves is more than most average closers will have in a whole year and we have a whole month of baseball left to go
Posted: 12:04 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Hopefully when Charlie wakes up tomorrow morning, he’ll be smart enough to realize that Lidge’s days aren’t numbered like Amanda says….Hopefully they’ll be over completely!
Lights out Lidge is now ”Lights on Lidge” There should be NO arguement that Madson needs to step in and be our closer. This shouldn’t even be questionable. Park has earned his roll to be the setup man. This needs to happen immediately atleast until Romero and Myers return.
Posted: 12:08 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 frank
when myers comes back is he the closer ?
Posted: 12:08 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 kimmy
i love lidge. but really, this shit has got to stop. its gone too far. i dont even care if we dont have a set closer. get lidge out of there…..
Posted: 12:16 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 dodger fan
Ouch. Battle of the worst closers in the major. I have to agree with Jim. Beating Matt Capps for the title should be his swan song.
Good luck.
Posted: 12:16 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Kevin from Macho Row
Guys there is still one other possibility. Why not call Toronto and ask if Roy Halladay has any interest in closing games?
Truth is we’re going to have to weather this Lidge storm the rest of the way. We have seen that Ryan Madson can not be counted on to close. Chan Ho Park has two career saves. Brett Myers is coming off of hip surgery that was supposed to keep him out for the year. Pedro Martinez? I don’t think so going by what we have seen from him so far.
Posted: 12:23 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 NateB
Myers was a good closer. Less streaky than Lidge. Of course I like Lidge’s good streaks, but it looks like he won’t turn it around this year. It will most likely be Myers for the playoffs if healthy.
Posted: 12:35 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 mikevn1
What happened to close by committee? Might be an option.
Posted: 12:39 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Needless to say, it’s a tough loss but fortunately it didn’t hurt the Phillies in the standings as Atlanta also lost in extra innings to the Padres.
If you watched the game and both teams’ at bats in the 9th inning, one can’t point the blame entirely on Lidge for the loss. Victorino got a gift triple with 2 outs (thanks to misplay by CF McCutchen who later became a hero) to give the Phillies the lead, 4-3. However, as the team have done throughout the game (2 for 14 with RISP), Victorino was left stranded when Utley grounded out. That cost them an insurance run and perhaps the complexion (attitude and strategy inclinations) of the game.
Also in the fateful bottom half of the 9th inning, Werth’s hugh error in mishandling the hit to RF by Moss that allowed pinchrunner, Bixlor to run all the way from 1st to score the tying game and cost a “save” for Lidge. One sensed that Lidge was totally rattled at that moment. However, it does not excused Lidge’s poor location and pitch selection in tonight’s game.
Listened to post game comments by Mitch Williams on CSN. He reiterated what Charlie Manuel repeatedly said in the past. Lidge is still the closer for the team. Williams insisted that Lidge’s problem is not his “stuff” but rather his location and pitch selection. He also said that Lidge needs to study videos to correct mistakes against hitters waiting on a certain pitch and having success.
Since Manuel continues to give a vote of confidence to Lidge, let’s hope Lidge will take Mitch Williams’ advice and also work with Ruiz in doing a better job of setting up the hitters.
Posted: 12:44 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Bill
As much as I’m pulling for him, Lidge has to go. In last year’s post season Lidge pitched in seven save situations. If they have to rely on him that much in this post season they won’t get very far. Unlike the past two seasons the Phils will win the division easily so their focus has to be on the post season and the achilles heel right now is the lack of a reliable closer. If Lidge had blown only half as many as he has this year the Phils would have the best record in the National League.
Posted: 01:07 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Dave
I love how every game, people come up with new excuses why this blown save isn’t Brad’s fault.
And with Madson, I think he needed time to adjust to his new role. If he had half the rope given to him that Lidge has had, he’d have adjusted by now.
Posted: 01:11 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 JeffR
“Williams insisted that Lidge’s problem is not his “stuff” but rather his location and pitch selection. ”
How is his location not considered a part of his “stuff’? It’s the most important part of pitching. He has no idea where his fastball is going. Remind you of anyone Mitch? He threw one right in the dirt. He was supposed to throw the left-handed hitter Moss down and away and it ended up down and in, right where a lefty wants it. He was supposed to throw McCuteon in on the hands and it was way out over the plate. I don’t know how you can depend on someone like that no matter how much “stuff” he has.
Posted: 01:29 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 boxage
i’m in love with brad lidge. i really am. this just breaks my heart
Posted: 01:41 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 notbradlidge
Charlie is a damned fool and his blind confidence is going to cost us a playoff berth. Or going deep into the playoffs at any rate.
Think about it. If he can’t keep a one run lead against the f**king PIRATES, how do you think he’s gonna fare against Cards, or Dodgers, or Boston, or even the Yanks?
DOG MEAT.
That’s what he’ll be and that’s what he is now, in my eyes.
Him and Chollie will cost us the pennant this season.
Posted: 01:45 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 notbradlidge
CLOSE BY COMMITTEE!!! THANK YOUUU!!! I’ve been spouting this on several different websites and I will continue to.
Close based on matchups and who we have available.
We have the pen to do it, Eyre, Walker, Romero when he’s healthy…it can work!
Last…sunday was it? Against the Braves, Eyre got the first two and Lidge came out for the last out. THAT WORKED BEAUTIFULLY. WHY didn’t they try that today. Ridiculous, especially with Park warmed up in the pen.
Let other, more competent, BETTER relievers do the hard work, and then let Lidge get the last out and the save.
Sounds good to me.
Posted: 01:48 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 why?
since when did brad pitch 4 days in a row? why was he even out there?
Posted: 02:00 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 phils_ftw
“Madson needs to step in and be our closer. This shouldn’t even be questionable”
I beg to differ, and i’ll question loudly with THESE questions:
Were you not watching the team when Madson was closing?
Were you not paying attention when he blew back, to back, to back saves?
Did you miss when he gave up a 3 run lead to the Orioles on back to back homers?
Did you also miss how badly he sucked when he was returned to setup man?
Did you notice he is just recently getting re-adjusted to the setup role and is returning to his 8th inning dominance?
This Madson for closer stuff has GOT to stop. We’ll suffer through Lidge til Myers is ready, then Myers gets the spot. THAT is the smart move, THAT is the unquestionable move. THAT is still not going to happen, though. Why? Charlie is too nice, and won’t remove Lidge. Our only hope is that Amaro steps in and forces his hand like he did with Moyer.
Posted: 02:10 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 maxhole
this post was as choppy as lidge’s performance. wtf
Posted: 02:10 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 phils_ftw
“Last…sunday was it? Against the Braves, Eyre got the first two and Lidge came out for the last out. THAT WORKED BEAUTIFULLY. WHY didn’t they try that today. Ridiculous, especially with Park warmed up in the pen.
Let other, more competent, BETTER relievers do the hard work, and then let Lidge get the last out and the save.
Sounds good to me.”
It sounds good in theory, but keep in mind Lidge gave up 3 runs and didn’t even record a single out. So that wouldn’t have worked even if he was given the task to get the final out and ONLY the final out.
Posted: 02:14 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Philsgirl
Let’s not be so hard on our man Brad. Lidge just needs a vacation, that’s all. I’m thinking the beautiful Lehigh Valley. Or maybe even historic Reading PA. Where one is able to leisurely pitch at one’s current level of play. Or maybe I’m being too generous..
Posted: 02:29 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 mnjam
Recurring. Blown saves are a recurring problem with Brad Lidge. Lidge is bad enough. Let’s not destroy the English language as well.
Posted: 03:16 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Craig
Perhaps those stories from last year about Brad selling his soul to the devil are true?
Posted: 04:40 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 » Lidge Blows Another Save as Phillies Lose Opener to Pirates | Blogging-Baseball.com
[...] Phillies Nation’s Amanda Orr provides a recap on a tight game turned ugly in the Pittsburgh ninth: On the very first pitch of the game, Jimmy Rollins’ line shot cleared the right-center field seats to put the Phillies on the board. On the first pitch in his second at-bat, Rollins homered again. Two pitches, two home runs. [...]
Posted: 05:09 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff Y.
Time for Lidge to go. He just plain sucks this year.
Posted: 06:54 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Pauline
Put Lidge down in the minors for awhile till he learns how to close again. We can not keep blowing wins
Posted: 07:03 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
STOP! Lidge isn’t going anywhere. He may not be the closer but he will be a part of the bullpen mix. But last night was just flat out brutal, I agree. I will also agree that if there is a quality closer that would be available to the Phils, and there probably isn’t, Ruben would have to try and get him. Trevor Hoffman, anyone? And he has to be on the roster on Sept. 1.
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:22 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Here is what I don’t get. Last year Myers was sent to the minors for being terrible. This year Moyer was taken out of the rotation in favor of Pedro, and Moyer’s numbers supported that. Charlie will bench J-Roll, in favor of Eric Bruntlett for Christ sakes for 4 games or whatever it was earlier in the year when he was slumping. Charlie will give Ibanez a day or two off because he is slumping. Though why he didn’t play Frisco vs Ollie on Sunday I don’t get, but whatever. My point is, Charlie will make moves in which guys who are not performing are taken out of the situation they are accustomed to in favor of someone else. In some of those cases it was short term, in others, such as Moyer, it is potentially permanent. But in all of those cases Charlie sent a message, no one is bigger than the team. Everyone is accountable. As long as that person is not Brad Lidge, the one person who truly is bigger than the team and who is not held accountable. Or so it looks.
You can say we don’t have options but we do. Are they all proven and or tested? No.
Ryan Madson to me is not an option. He was iffy at best when he was the closer and honestly he is too valuable as the set up man. Suppose you do move Madson to the 9th, now you have a possible question mark in the 8th. What good is a closer if the lead is blown before it gets to him? Leave Madson as the set up guy. He is so good there.
That leaves you with Durbin…No. Moyer…No…Eyre…only in a lefty vs lefty situation would I use him. Similar to what Charlie did with Eyre in that game against Atlanta.
Chan Ho Park…the man who has been nothing short of a savior of our bullpen. Could he be the closer? I think with the absolute filth he is throwing he can certainly be a closer. I feel like he earned it too. He was awful as a starter but he went to the pen, didn’t cry about it and has thrived. He has been used in pretty much every situation imaginable out of the pen except closer and done well in all of them. He would be my second third choice. Only because he has been so valuable in the undefined role that he has. He is pretty much the “Miracle Man” of the bullpen. Use him in whatever situation you want and he will get it done.
Myers is hopefully coming back this week. His fastball is in the mid 90′s, I am hearing consistently 93-95. Was he a great closer? No. But I think mentally he has what it takes to be a closer, and that is as big a part of it as raw talent is.
I said last night we should make Walker the closer for now, keep Lidge in the pen but not use him for the next few days and when Myers is ready to go then send Lidge to the DL and call up Myers. Maybe let Myers close, or let Myers work out of the pen in an undefined role, similar to what Tyler Walker was doing.
Does this mean Lidge is done as a Phillie? No, because the reality is, we have him for another 2 years. Park was signed to a one year contract, so was Walker and we all know Myers most likely won’t be coming back. We don’t really have anyone in the minors groomed to be a closer and I don’t know of any good closers being available in the off season. And even if there were, I can’t see the Phillies wanting to eat Lidge’s salary for the next two years. But regardless of all of that. Lidge can not continue to be bigger than the team. Charlie, I love you for sticking with your guys but I hate you for your unwillingness to see the other side of it. Brad Lidge is not as good as he was last year, it was a fluke, and we can not afford to allow him to continue to live off last year. Lidge is in no way a bad closer. He is one of the top 10 closers in the game. Just not this year. I am all for giving him a chance to regain his spot next year, we almost have to let him try but to continue to put him out there when guys are batting .299 against him is just ridiculous, and its unfair to the other 24 guys on the team.
Posted: 07:23 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
The real question is why did Charlie send Lidge to the mound for a fourth straight day?? Under the circumstances it was an indefencable decision by Charlie that was bound to end up in a blown save by going to the only guy in the bullpen that has been overworked in the last few days. The Phillies didn’t ‘need’ the win at all costs to justify sending Lidge to the mound in that game against a team another rested arm could have more than likely picked up the save.
Last night was like the scene in The Dear Hunter where Christopher Walken’s character pulls the trigger in the game of russian roulette full-well knowing the bullet was in the chamber.
Pure and simple the Phillies now have a major problem that could have been avoided, Lidge has been horrendous everyone knows it but slowly improving and it was poor management by Charlie that’s to blame for last nights save which is up there on a par with Grady Little’s decision to leave Pedro in too long in the 2003 ALCS when the facts were there to more than suggest Pedro was going to blow up if he was left in the game any longer.
Myers isn’t going to be the saviour when there are questionmarks over whether or not he can even contribute coming off a major injury. There is no-one the Phils can make a trade for at this point expect to be a legitimate closer, the Marlins would block every single waiver claim the Phils attempt to make for a guy like Bell or Hoffman.
Posted: 07:31 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
Ed – First off, I think Brett will be here next year. I just have that feeling. I think he likes the Phils, likes to win, is coming off an injury, and would be able to agree with the Phils on some type of contract to reflect all those things.
I agree that it is unfair to everyone to keep running Lidge out there. Going to Reading might be a good idea. I think between Park, Myers, Madson, Eyre, Romero you can mix and match at the end of the game. Is it ideal? No. But the Phils are losing games because of Lidge. Its no joke. 9 blown saves.
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:37 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
^The reality is no closer in the game is automatic attempting to save a game for the forth straight day and no closer is automatic when he hasn’t pitched 6/7+ days. Why when Lidge has blown 8 saves with earlier recurring knee trouble did Charlie take that chance??
It was a stupid stupid move and we really don’t know whether or not Lidge is done as the closer because he never should have been sent to the mound in anything other than an emergency situation in last nights game.
Posted: 07:38 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
NJ – Do you really think that 4 games in a row is too much for a legit closer? Thats 4 warm ups and four innings. The Mariners blocking every waiver claim…….ah…..but Ruben is known for his creativity. A three way deal can be had with the right teams and the requisite desire.
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:43 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Dipsy I hope Myers is back. I really do. I love him, mental case that he is. But if he does come back where doe she go? Most people seem to assume, correctly or incorrectly that Drabek is ready for the big league rotation next year. I don’t have thoughts one way or the other. I am fine with him sitting in the minors for one more year. I like the idea of a rotation of Lee, Happ, Hamels, Blanton and Myers. 3 lefties and 2 righties looks good to me.
I have never been a huge fan of the closer by committee idea only because I have never seen a team win a World Series with that approach. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen this year. I do like the idea of playing match ups and i am all for that but I think at the end of the day you need that guy that can go in there and get the last three outs at minimum 85% of the time. Which is about 84% of the time more than what Lidge is doing.(Totally exaggerated)
Posted: 07:43 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Dhall
These losses are adding up. If we lose the division by one game, we’ll have Charlie and “Line Drive Lidge” to thank.
Posted: 07:44 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
Marlins…sorry.
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:44 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Dipsy I do think 4 straight days is too much for a closer. Elite or not. There is a reason it hardly every happens. And it should especially never happen with Lidge.
Posted: 07:46 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Dipsy I don’t think 4 days straight is too much for legitimate closer on top form, that’s not Lidge this year and we’ve all said it.
Do you not think under the circumstances Charlie’s decision last night was a really bad one?
BTW a 3-way trade in October, has that ever been done? Is it even possible?
Posted: 07:49 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Leon-Deon-VA.Tech
Charlie Manuel doesn’t have the balls to send Lidge down or to sit him down….he just won’t….Lidge was a one year wonder …..like Charlie …now what they think Meyers is gonna save them….”bet” he will be up for one game and then done….he’ll say it was too soon to pitch …but ok to party…The Phillies sell out all most every game….so as long as there is people in the seats they are happy…..the fans aren’t….contracts equal ego….Lidge, Hamels, Meyers, Utley, all have lied just to stay in check with their ego’s …Charlie has been “teabagged”…I like how Mitch Willams keep saying ya gotta go with Brad….ya know why….so people can forget about how bad he was…thats why…they’ll win the division but unless Happ and Lee and Blanton can pitch complete games thru the playoffs their gonna make an early exit …..I actaully think those 3 guys could be pitch their butts off and do it..we’ll see
Posted: 07:51 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
BEFORE there were closers, when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, teams mixed and matched often. The 75-76 Reds, my childhood team because of my love of Joe Morgan, the player not the broadcaster, used Eastwick, McEnaney, and Borbon. Thats just one example. Nowadays, closers have been groomed in that role through the minors and such and is definitely the way to go in the present day. NJ – GREAT Christopher Walken analogy. And appropriately, the team and fans are Robert DeNiro. Trying to help him find himself, the guy he used to be, only to fail. Lidge even has that glazed look that Walken had.
Got an extra pair of boots?
The Dipsy
Posted: 07:53 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
All baseball players play hurt until it blows up in their face and then they blame it on injury.
Posted: 07:55 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
I honestly don’t think we can assess whether or not Lidge can be a viable closer going down the stretch on the evidance of last nights game under the circumstances. I think the next game is the make-or-break game for Lidge.
Creative, Moyer back to the rotation and Pedro Martinez into the back of the bullpen…
Posted: 07:59 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
NJ – Would not hve a problem with that. Gotta give Pedro some more starts though.
The Dipsy
Posted: 08:01 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Rich
Lidge SUCKS!
Posted: 08:20 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Mutts fan
I love your new closer Brad Lige. He is the one. Keep putting him on the pile of dirt in the infield….he will ruin your season and the history of the game. Charlie is a crazy person who is filled with delight. Sorry, I have to go get ready for school.
Posted: 08:25 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Maverick
the problem with Lidge is that if you take him out of the closer role what do you do with him? bring him in so he can blow the 7th or 8th?
Maybe release him like the Jays did Ryan and Brewers did Gagne?
Posted: 08:29 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike
For the love of God, will Charlie please sit Lidge????!!!!! I can’t even watch him anymore. At least try giving someone else a chance to blow some saves!
Posted: 08:46 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Jason
That picture says it all.
Posted: 08:57 AM on August 26, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
I would have more faith in MOYER as the Closer right now than I do with Lidge …
and the problem isn’t even the “Blown Saves” lable … its that he can’t get anyone OUT anymore.. gives up too many walks, too many hits..
Brett Myers best be here soon or we are in trouble
Posted: 08:57 AM on August 26, 2009