Lidge Blows Another – Phillies Lose To Dodgers
The Phillies closer can’t close games.
Matt Stairs came up big once again for the Phils but it was the same story for Brad Lidge as the troubled closer failed once again to deliver the win as the Phillies lost to the Dodgers 3-2 this afternoon.
Andre Ethier jacked a home run off Chad Durbin in the bottom of the 12th inning to win it for the Dodgers.
Stairs, who delivered a two-run single with two outs in the seventh to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead, sat and watched Lidge give up a one-out homer to Rafael Furcal, in the ninth.
Lidge has given up leads in six of his 19 save attempts this season. He has a 7.27 ERA and has allowed seven home runs in 26 innings.
“He’ll always be my guy,” Charlie Manual said after the game.
There has to be a time when Lidge admits his predictability with his pitches and works damn hard on fixing whatever the hell is wrong – because something clearly is. If I hear, “I feel great.” from Lidge tonight I’m going to go bananas.
There is no time for emotion mixed with loyalty – this team needs to win games and Lidge is pitching like a clown. Let’s get his ass fixed. Anything is better.
Cory Wade (1-3) pitched two perfect innings of relief for the Dodgers, whose bullpen leads the majors with 17 wins.
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3 Comments so far ...
This is now a major concern. He looks scared on the mound, and is making mental mistakes. Pujols screwed him up for a year.
I still think the Phils have another month or so to hang in there with Lidge, and hope he straightens himself out. But if they approach the AS break, and he’s still struggling, they either have to go to Madson, or trade for a closer.
Right now, between a starter and a closer – the biggest need is closer. If Lidge would have closed out these last 2 games, the Phils probably would have went into NY with a 5 game lead, and a chance to step on the Mets’ throats.
Comment on June 6, 2009 10:46 pmI said this a little while back, sit Lidge down and figure our whats going on in his dome let Madson close for a while. We have way too much talent to let Lidge just give it away. I know the Phils feel like they owe alot to him. But like Manuel has said last year was last year and this is this year.
Comment on June 7, 2009 08:18 pmThat’s the problem though – If you sit Lidge, do you get him back mentally. Messing with closers is different than starters, other bullpen guys, or position players. They are a finicky group. Kind of like goalies in hockey. I think I would ratehr let him work through his issues on the mound, than yank him, and play with his psyche. If his velocity was down on his FB, then you could use that as an excuse to sit him.
I’d wait until at least July 1st.
Comment on June 8, 2009 06:32 pm