Heading into the top of the ninth inning, the Phillies trailed 4-2. But with two runners on base, Ryan Howard delivered a two-run double to tie the game. Jayson Werth then singled to score Howard and give the Phillies a 5-4 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Scott Eyre gave up two hits but Brad Lidge came into the game and picked up his second consecutive save.

In the series, the Phillies had a lot of big performances. Chase Utley hit .429 for the series, while Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and Werth all hit better than .350.

The Phillies and Dodgers begin their series on Thursday in Los Angeles. Cole Hamels will start for the Phillies, while the Dodgers will go with Randy Wolf.

Ryan Howard lights up a cigar as the Phillies celebrate (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Phillies Rally to Beat Rockies and Advance

Last season, Lidge was 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA and was a perfect 41-for-41 in save opportunities. This year has been totally different. He’s 0-8 with a 7.48 ERA and has blown 11 save chances out of 42.

Heading into the 9th inning with a 6-5 lead, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel put Lidge in to close the game. A couple minutes later, Jorge Cantu tied the game with a single and then Brett Carroll won the game with another single. After the contest, Manuel was obviously upset.

“Lidge was our closer last year and we signed him to be our closer now,” said Lidge. “But he’s struggled and it’s hard for us to close a game out. It’s tough.”

Despite Lidge’s struggles, the Phillies are all but assured a spot in the 2009 baseball playoffs. At 88-63, Philadelphia has a 6.5-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. In the postseason, the Phillies will try win their second consecutive World Series championship.

Brad Lidge Blows Another Save (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Brad Lidge Blows Another Save

To start the game, Cole Hamels went 6.2 strong innings — allowing only one earned run while striking out six. Chan Ho Park and Brett Myers set the table for the new closer Ryan Madson. Madson, who has replaced Brad Lidge as the closer, pitched the ninth to record his seventh save of the season.

While Lidge hasn’t been the closer since his latest ugly outing, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel says that this switch isn’t permanent. Instead, Manuel said that he’s just giving Lidge a break. However, if Lidge struggles, the good news for Philadelphia is that Madson seems to be up for the job.

With the win, the Phillies now lead the NL East by six games over the Florida Marlins and eight games over the Atlanta Braves. Unless they fall apart, the Phillies will at least have a chance to defend their title in the 2009 baseball playoffs.

Will Brad Lidge regain his role as closer? (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Phillies Pitchers Power Past Mets

This season has been almost the exact opposite for Lidge. He has ten blown saves to go along with an ERA of 7.15 and a record of 0-7. That Lidge is still the Phillies’ closer despite how poorly he has pitched this year is a testament to how much manager Charlie Manuel believes in him. However, his patience seems to be running thin.

On Tuesday, Lidge got pulled during a close situation. He retired only one of the four batters he faced while mixing in a walk, a hit batter and a wild pitch. Ryan Madson entered the game for Lidge and picked up his fifth save of the year.

After the contest, Manuel was noncommittal about Lidge’s future as a closer. With the playoffs quickly approaching, Manuel may have to make the change now.

Brad Lidge - Philadelphia Phillies Closer? (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Did Brad Lidge Lose His Job as Closer?

As much as everyone wanted Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers to be the feel good story of the year, but my vote goes to Fernando Tatis of the New York Mets. Until Tatis got hurt near the end of the season, I thought he had a great chance at Comeback Player of the Year in the National League. However, Tatis finished fifth in the voting as Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge took the honors.

But it was a nice comeback for Tatis, no matter where he finished in the voting. To be honest, it was shocking to hear that Tatis was back in Major League Baseball. Yet, not only was he back in the big leagues, but he was a main contributor for a few months when the Mets were on a roll.

Tatis actually came back into baseball in order to raise money to buy land in order to build a church in the Dominican Republic. After a two year absence from the game, this was his motivation for returning.

In his injury-shortened season with the Mets, Tatis batted .297 with 11 home runs and 47 runs batted in. It was a surprise season for Tatis and in my opinion the feel good story of the year. I just wish he would have received more votes for the Comeback Player of the Year award.

Image: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Why no more love for Fernando Tatis?