Game Recap:
Brad Lidge blew his 10th save of the season as the Astros scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to rally past the Phils last night.
What went right?
Ryan Howard went 1-3 with a triple and an RBI.
Pedro Feliz was 2-4 with an RBI.
Ben Francisco had a pinch hit RBI in the eighth inning.
Carlos Ruiz went 1-2 with an RBI.
Miguel Cairo was 2-4.
Joe Blanton pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out five.
What went wrong?
Shane Victorino was 0-5.
Jayson Werth went 0-4.
Brad Lidge blew his 10th save of the year, allowing two runs on two hits in two thirds of an inning. He walked two batters and struck out one.
Game Analysis:
That's enough, Brad Lidge. Last night felt like a game from 2008. The Phillies were down, but managed to come back in the late innings and turn the game over to their bullpen. Unlike 2008, the Phillies couldn't keep the lead, as Brad Lidge blew another save, giving him ten blown saves on the season. If there is one thing that is keeping the Phillies from being even better than last season, it is Brad Lidge this year. Last year, the Phillies never lost a game that they led going into the ninth inning. This year, it's a whole different story.
Lidge has been nothing but trouble all year, and every time it looks like he's turned the corner, he ends up right back where he started from. Last night should have been easy. Lidge struck the first batter out, then ran an 0-2 count on the second batter, only to have him work a walk. By the time Kaz Matsui had come up, the bases were loaded, and somehow, there was another out. Of course, Matsui has killed the Phils before, and he did it again last night. Last year, Lidge would have worked through this, but it's not 2008 anymore.
Brett Myers came back last night and pitched a scoreless eighth inning, getting out of some trouble when he walked a batter. Lidge is shot as a closer this year. His nerves are gone, and there's nothing left to try and fix. Myers needs to be made the closer, today. It's time to make a change, Charlie.
Today, Cole Hamels (8-8, 4.26 ERA) can hopefully keep his scoreless innings streak alive as he faces Bud Norris (3-3, 6.61 ERA).
Showing posts with label Come back Brett Myers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Come back Brett Myers. Show all posts
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Phillies Recap: Pirates-6, Phillies-4
Game Recap:
Brad Lidge's ninth blown save of the season cost the Phillies a chance at their fourth straight win after they came back in the ninth inning against Pittsburgh.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins was 2-5 with two home runs.
Shane Victorino was 1-5 with a triple and an RBI.
Chase Utley went 2-4.
Ben Francisco had a game tying, pinch hit double that tied the game in the ninth inning.
Joe Blanton pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out seven.
What went wrong?
Raul Ibanez was 0-3.
Matt Stairs went 0-2.
Pedro Feliz was 0-4.
Brad Lidge blew his ninth save of the season, allowing three runs on three hits without recording an out. Did I mention he managed to do this only in six pitches?
Game Analysis:
On the surface, this was just a simple loss to a bad team in late August. What is important and troubling here is the way that the Phillies lost last night. Last season, Brad Lidge was 41-41 on the season when it came to saves. We all knew that wouldn't continue this year, but I don't think anyone thought it would end like this. Last night, Lidge blew his ninth save of the season, and he needed only six. pitches to do it. A single, wild pitch, single and home run later and the game was over. That was it. Three batters, three hits, three runs. Nothing looked right for Lidge last night, and it hasn't looked right for most of the season.
Remember, if it weren't for an unassisted triple play on Sunday, Lidge probably would be on blown save number ten right now and fans would be chomping at the bit even more to get him out of the closer's spot. Of course, Charlie Manuel has already come out and said that Lidge is going to be his closer, so I don't know what he's going to have to do to lose that job. Nine blown saves is a serious problem, and at this point, it's past the time to "work it out." The man has an ERA over 7.00 for the season. He is the weakness on the Phillies right now, and could be the reason why the Phils don't repeat as World Champions. They have everything else set; the starting pitching is stable, the offense is great and the fielding is right at the top of the National League. What they don't have is that end of the bullpen guy that you know is going to go out there, get three outs, and save the game. The other players are starting to lose confidence in Lidge, and if he blows another save, I think the city is going to completely turn on him.
These fans remember Mitch Williams. They don't want to go back there again, and I'm afraid that Charlie's going to lead us down that path once more. Hopefully, something changes, but I don't think it will.
Brett Myers, you're the only hope for the back of the bullpen.
Tonight, Cole Hamels (7-8, 4.78 ERA) will hopefully not make me throw anything else at my television. He'll be facing off against Paul Maholm (7-7, 4.74 ERA).
Brad Lidge's ninth blown save of the season cost the Phillies a chance at their fourth straight win after they came back in the ninth inning against Pittsburgh.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins was 2-5 with two home runs.
Shane Victorino was 1-5 with a triple and an RBI.
Chase Utley went 2-4.
Ben Francisco had a game tying, pinch hit double that tied the game in the ninth inning.
Joe Blanton pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out seven.
What went wrong?
Raul Ibanez was 0-3.
Matt Stairs went 0-2.
Pedro Feliz was 0-4.
Brad Lidge blew his ninth save of the season, allowing three runs on three hits without recording an out. Did I mention he managed to do this only in six pitches?
Game Analysis:
On the surface, this was just a simple loss to a bad team in late August. What is important and troubling here is the way that the Phillies lost last night. Last season, Brad Lidge was 41-41 on the season when it came to saves. We all knew that wouldn't continue this year, but I don't think anyone thought it would end like this. Last night, Lidge blew his ninth save of the season, and he needed only six. pitches to do it. A single, wild pitch, single and home run later and the game was over. That was it. Three batters, three hits, three runs. Nothing looked right for Lidge last night, and it hasn't looked right for most of the season.
Remember, if it weren't for an unassisted triple play on Sunday, Lidge probably would be on blown save number ten right now and fans would be chomping at the bit even more to get him out of the closer's spot. Of course, Charlie Manuel has already come out and said that Lidge is going to be his closer, so I don't know what he's going to have to do to lose that job. Nine blown saves is a serious problem, and at this point, it's past the time to "work it out." The man has an ERA over 7.00 for the season. He is the weakness on the Phillies right now, and could be the reason why the Phils don't repeat as World Champions. They have everything else set; the starting pitching is stable, the offense is great and the fielding is right at the top of the National League. What they don't have is that end of the bullpen guy that you know is going to go out there, get three outs, and save the game. The other players are starting to lose confidence in Lidge, and if he blows another save, I think the city is going to completely turn on him.
These fans remember Mitch Williams. They don't want to go back there again, and I'm afraid that Charlie's going to lead us down that path once more. Hopefully, something changes, but I don't think it will.
Brett Myers, you're the only hope for the back of the bullpen.
Tonight, Cole Hamels (7-8, 4.78 ERA) will hopefully not make me throw anything else at my television. He'll be facing off against Paul Maholm (7-7, 4.74 ERA).
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