Save committee may work in Philly

by Joseph Birmingham

Sunday September 13, 2009 

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In the first game of a rainout makeup double header with an odd 4 hour delay between games, Kyle Kendrick got his first win of the year and Manuel did as promised and sent Brad  Lidge out to get the save, albeit a shaky, scary one.

Lidge gave up two runs, keeping his ERA above 7 but finished the game without losing it.  Barely.  Manuel is now switching back and forth between Lidge and Madsen, with neither selection appearing to be that good a choice, but no other immediate solution at hand.

The Phillies hit two more homeruns, now having 332 of their 714 runs scored via the round tripper, or 46%.  The Phillies ran their season matchup against the once worrysome Mets to 11-6 with the night cap game in hand.

Kendrick looked glad to be back in winning form, and Lidge looked grateful to record his 29th save.  With the win, the Phillies guaranteed at least a .500 season.  The Phillies have 4 players with 30 home runs, 84 or more RBI’s,  and 88 runs scored.  Chase Utley got his 100th run scored for the third straight year.

The Phitens trotted out Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez for the nightcap.   Pedro displayed command of 4 different pitches with good speed and control, pitching 130 pitches over 8 shutout innings as the Phillies clung to a 1-0 lead.  Pedro dropped his ERA under 3 and ran his record this year to 5-0.  Pedro is one of the few pitchers to play in both leagues and record 100+ wins on both American and National League teams.

Game two was a pitching dual, with Redding leaving the game in the 7th after giving up one run on three hits and carrying the loss. The only thing left to see was if the Phillies could hold on and win the game with their closing pitching.

Green hit the first batter he faced then recorded three outs on his next two pitches to get out of the 7th inning with the one run lead unchanged. The Phillies arrived at the 9th still holding a one run lead, and 6-0 record in Pedro’s starts.  Madsen came in, finished off the largely ineffective Mets and earned the save to secure Pedro’s win.  The Phillies took a largely needed doubleheader sweep with two saves on a night when the bullpen sorely needed to prove itself.

The closing issues aren’t resolved, but at least for one night at least, a closer didn’t cost the team a sure victory and we can all sleep well tonight knowing the Phillies have all but clinched the National League East.

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