So, another blown save by the Phillies’ bullpen, but this time the Phils actually came back to get the win.
Ryan Madson, who everyone and their mother was calling to replace Brad Lidge, blew this save almost as quickly as Lidge did the night before. In doing so, he wasted a terrific outing by Cole Hamels, who pitched 8 shutout innings on his way to a no decision.
In what I think is the dumbest rule in baseball, besides the DH, Madson gets credited with the blown save as well as the win, because he came back out for the 10th. Hamels should have gotten this win, plain and simple.
Luckily for Madson, the Big Piece Ryan Howard saved his ass with a 3 run bomb in the top of the 10th inning to get the win for the Phillies.
While all of this was going on, Brett Myers was pitching 2 strong innings of relief up in Reading. He struck out 5 batters, walked 1, and didn’t give up a hit. Myers seems to be on his way back to Philly sooner rather than later.
Many have been calling for Madson to get a shot at the closer’s role, and I just don’t think he has it in him at this point. Myers has done it in the past, and has done it successfully. He will be on a strict pitch count when he comes back because of his hip surgery, but I think he deserves a shot at the closer’s spot.
When Myers eventually gets added to the big league roster, it will be very interesting to see how Choly uses him. I’m sure he’ll have a few relief appearances before being thrown into the closer’s role. The best thing about Myers coming back however is that it finally gives Manuel a legitimate second option to use as a closer. Having a second proven closer can’t be a bad thing for a team which, for a moment tonight, had the Senior Circuit’s best record.
I’m sure the closer situation will sort itself out by the end of the regular season, but who will that guy be? Lidge? Madson? Myers? Chan Ho? At this point, it could be any of them.
My money is still on Lidge, but I’ve been wrong before.
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