Abdication: Phillies 5, Nationals 3
by WholeCamels on Sep 8, 2009 10:20 PM EDT
26 comments
So on a night when the Phillies logged five solo home runs, including two from an apparently resurgent Raul Ibanez, and Pedro Martinez logged his fourth victory in six starts with the Phillies, the real story tonight happened in the bottom of the ninth inning, when the inevitable happened -- Brad Lidge got fired.
Okay, maybe not "fired," but it's clear now that Charlie Manuel has a breaking point, and Brad Lidge pushed him to it tonight. Heading into the ninth with a 5-3 lead, Lidge allowed a leadoff single to Wil Nieves, then got pinch hitter Alberto Gonzalez to ground out to deep third, on a ball third baseman Pedro Feliz nearly threw away. With Nieves on second, Lidge then plunked Willie Harris in the middle of the back, then uncorked a wild pitch, putting runners on second and third with one out. After walking Cristian Guzman, Charlie had had enough.
With Ryan Zimmerman coming up, and Adam Dunn on deck, Manuel took the walk to the mound and pulled his perfect season closer, replacing him with Ryan Madson, who promptly got Zimmerman to strike out on a changeup in the dirt, and Dunn to roll a grounder to Rollins playing the right side on a shift for the final out.
Brett Myers got four outs in the seventh and eighth, looking sharp in the process. He'll almost certainly be unavailable tomorrow however.
The victory was the Phillies' first since last Thursday. The series continues tomorrow, as lefty Cliff Lee tries to rebound from two consecutive poor starts.
Breath, everyone.
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ToddZolecki: Lidge said Manuel told him he will be closing tomorrow should the situation arise.
by DeanH on Sep 8, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Really?
Charlie: it’s a lost cause. I understand why you did what you did, but it’s September 8, for God’s sake. Tonight, against the bottom of the lineup of the worst team in baseball, your closer basically blew the game (until he was bailed out by one of your actual competent relievers). It’s too late to save Lidge’s season — but it’s not too late to save the season for the other 24 guys.
by PhillyFriar on Sep 8, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was the top of the lineup which actually isnt bad, but he was terrible and I think its time to pull the plug. Its time to put Myers in there for the 9th
by JKennedy on Sep 8, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was slated to be 8-9-1, or I guess, 8-PH-1. But whatever the case, it was another awful outing. There’s just no way this team can do anything in October if Charlie expects Lidge to protect 1 or even 2-run leads.
by PhillyFriar on Sep 9, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh ya, that was my bad I thought it was PH-1-2-3, I totally forgot the 8 hitter lol
and I agree there is no way Lidge can close in the playoffs and I love how lately Charlie has shown he has balls and won’t take this crap anymore. first it was the speech after the loss, then he calls out Utley and Ibanez saying they need to hit, then pulls Lidge, I like it.
by JKennedy on Sep 9, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so to be fair here...
Lidge came in with the bases empty to face 8-PH-1(-2) and got one out and loaded the bases.
Madson entered with bases loaded facing (3)Ryan Zimmerman and (4)Adam Dunn and gave up NO runs.
Maybe Madson had some struggles in the role earlier, but that’s a slam dunk as to who performed better, against tougher competition.
by Bilzo on Sep 9, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ridiculous. Manuel needs to accept that this is not the same Lidge from last season.
"THIS IS NOT COLLEGE NO MORE. THIS IS THE BIG MAN SPORT." ~Crazy Lady on BGN forums
by southjersey89 on Sep 8, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On CSN, Charlie DID NOT promise to bring Lidge in. He stated he is still counting Lidge as his closer but he does not know what he will do tommorrow.
by DeanH on Sep 8, 2009 10:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
post game comments on Philly.com..
Lidge said Charlie told him he’d put him back in as a closer. Hearsay? (double hearsay now…since I’m not giving a perfect quote)
by Bilzo on Sep 9, 2009 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In listening to him on post game live, he did not throw Lidge under the bus BUT he mad NO promises that Lidge will be the closer tommorrow like Lidge said. But, Charlie, did not say Lidge is done or not his closer, just he will consider each circumstance and decide. I get the feeling it will be like tonight if there is a repeat. No more empty bullpen when Lidge is in this year, IMO.
by DeanH on Sep 9, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would be "totem pole" hearsay.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Sep 9, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s no way….there is no rational reason to re-instate him.
by Bilzo on Sep 8, 2009 11:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What a bandbox!
""It was a good night to hit if you could the ball in the air, and they got five of them," Washington manager Jim Riggleman said. “Five is a little ridiculous.” "
Oh wait…they didn’t play at CBP…
My bad, sorry.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Sep 9, 2009 12:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lidge = awful, but others have been worse
Smarterer people than us have broken it down. Lookee, lookee:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9485
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Sep 9, 2009 1:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s actually a follow up I believe to his first story (or the first of a two parter)
I wish BP would sell specific articles, for like $0.99. I don’t want to subscribe but every once in a while an article pops up that I’d like to read
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Sep 9, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 Phillies with 30 or more homers. Yeesh. And Rollins will get 20 to boot.
by FuquaManuel on Sep 9, 2009 1:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This team is too dependent on the homerun :)
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Sep 9, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It will make me feel better
If we can string a couple wins together here and get other hits. I will feel much more comfortable heading down the stretch. Right now, not so comfortable.
"It was almost like if Harry didn't call it, it wasn't real." - Jayson Stark
by Chris Haines on Sep 9, 2009 4:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
RAUL
That’s three good-to-great games in a row for Ibanez. If he can merely be pretty good down the stretch, it helps this team A LOT.
http://www.thegoodphight.com
by WholeCamels on Sep 9, 2009 10:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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