If you look at the box score, it was an incredibly smooth 9th inning for the Philadelphia Phillies’ Brad Lidge. If you watched the game, you know it was a bit scarier than that.
But regardless, he got the job done and held Atlanta scoreless in the ninth to get his first save of the season in a 5-3 win.
For those who watched, you know that the game should have really been tied. First, Lidge gave up a bomb to straight away centerfield to Eric Hinske that took Shane Victorino to the warning track. This was a no-doubt home run on most any day. Luckily for Lidge, it wasn’t just any day. It was wiiiiindy. Still, disaster averted.
Then Omar Infante stepped up to the plate and proceeded to belt one into the left field stands. But, the wind was still there and it knocked the ball down for Raul Ibanez. Lidge then got a comebacker to the mound to end the game.
It really could have been a tie ballgame and maybe worse if not for the wind. But, it is what it is and he still got the save.
What do you think? Was Lidge let off the hook by a nasty wind? Do you still have confidence in him?
I watched that game too and Lidge definitely got saved by the wind..but Oh well, ya know..a save is a save and he needed to start somewhere.
The wind kept a few of our hits in the park. It all evens out in the end – unless you’re a philly fan and naturally expect the worse.
My guess is that by the All-Star game, Brad Lidge will be striclty in Long Relief or possibly out and out released … He is not a closet anymore (at least in Phialdelphia)
DixieFan, way to miss the point.
Much of the success of this team depends on Cole and Lidge. Lidge’s performance is being analyzed, not the entire game. If Lidge is giving up bombs in the 9th, the Phils have no chance at winning a World Series.
Agree with Mugsy,
HAmels continues to dissapoint and almost blew a 4 run lead at home versus a pretty weak line-up without 2 of thier better hitters in C Jones/J Heyward..
What really bothers me about Hamels pitching and has now for the last 1 year is his inability to finish off a batter… How many times does he get ahead of a batter down 1-2 and then wastes 1 to 2 pitches and then has to groove it in… He throws way too “bad balls” which are not even close to the strike zone and will not get batters to chase when he’s 6′-8″ out of the Zone..At this level of piching and with his experience now, he should have much better command and a better idea on how to pitch
His fastball is simply average anf if he can’t have good command of his slider,curve ball or cut fastball
he will only continue to put up average #’s with a good team behind him….He’s got the talent but needs to be way more agressive and confident in his stuff than he is and stop “wasting” pitches if he wants to become a very good pitcher..
I swear to God, Paulman changing his handle was just like when Saul fell off a horse in the bible, hit his head, and changed it to Paul. He is actually lucid and makes clear points.
Is it possible your previous attempts at levity clouded our judgement on your sanity?
It depends what you mean by “levity’…. ha ha