Game Recap:
Brad Lidge blew his 11th game of the season as the Marlins rallied late to push past the Phils, keeping their magic number at five.
What went right?
Ryan Howard was 2-5 with a home run and four RBI, giving him four straight seasons of 40 home runs and 130 RBI.
Raul Ibanez was 2-3 with a home run.
Pedro Feliz went 1-4 and scored a run.
Jimmy Rollins was 1-5 and scored once.
Cole Hamels pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. He struck out four, walked none, and went 2-3 at the plate with an RBI.
What went wrong?
Shane Victorino was 0-4 with a walk.
Jayson Werth was 0-3.
Brad Lidge blew his 11th save of the season and picked up his eighth loss. He allowed two runs in two thirds of an inning on three hits and a walk.
Game Analysis:
Let me tell you something right now. If Brad Lidge is still the closer against Milwaukee this weekend, I am going to find a way to get up there and injure him somehow so he can't pitch. Every time this guy comes into a game, I don't get a good feeling. Tonight, he did it again, blowing a one run lead and giving the Marlins new life. Yes, I know the Phillies are still 6.5 games up with 11 to play, but a win tonight would have buried Florida for the season. Remember, the Braves get to play such tough teams as the Mets, Nationals and Mets for the rest of the year, while the Phillies get the Brewers, Astros and Marlins.
Aside from Lidge, the game wasn't that bad. Ryan Howard just continues to produce in September, and he reached 40 home runs and 130 RBI for the fourth straight season. It's amazing what he can do when he's locked in like this. Raul Ibanez had another homer tonight, giving him 34 on the season, and even Cole Hamels had two hits. He did enough to win tonight, this one is not on him. Tonight, it's all about Brad.
Lidge has to get out of that closer role. I'm sorry, I will love everything that he did last season, but this is too much. The rest of the team looks rock solid going into the playoffs. The Phillies have their big bats ready to go, their speed guys are set, and their starting pitching has been some of the best in baseball since the All Star break. The only thing that's missing is that nail it down closer that was there all year last season. I don't know who Charlie can throw in there at this point, but it's not Brad Lidge. He's done this year. I've got no faith in him, even with a ten run lead. Find someone, anyone, that can get those last three damn outs of a game without any drama, and I'll be happy. Not only that, but the Phillies might be playing a long time in October.
Tomorrow, the Phils take their act to Milwaukee for their last road series of the year. J.A. Happ (10-4, 2.77 ERA) can hopefully pitch a complete game against Jeff Suppan (7-10, 4.76 ERA).
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