You Don’t Bring a Closer into a Tie Ballgame

Written by: Josh Landsburg on 8th July 2009

You Don’t Bring a Closer into a Tie Ballgame | read this item

Brad Lidge came into the game with the score tied 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning, and he gave up a run, as the Phillies lost 4-3 to the Cincinnati Reds last night. I have always believed that it does not make sense to bring a closer into a tie ballgame. I think there are rare exceptions to the rule, but tonight was not one of them! Ryan Madson had not thrown that many pitches in the eighth inning, and he could have probably gone another inning. In truth, the Phillies lost this game long before the ninth inning.

J.A. Haap pitched very well in the game, but the Phillies offense blew opportunity after opportunity to get more runs across the plate. All told, they went 1-12 with runners in scoring position, and they left a total of 12 men on the base paths tonight. Also, I think Charlie Manuel made some boneheaded moves in the game, including the Lidge move, and also, why didn’t he use John Mayberry, Jr. as a pinch-hitter in the game? Instead he used Eric Bruntlett, one of the worst players in all of baseball right now, sporting a whopping .141 Batting Average after play tonight. I know we are indebted to Manuel as Phillies fans for bringing us their first championship in 28 years, but come on! I think he does make some foolish mistakes sometimes, and when he makes two big ones in a game, like he did tonight, I think it warrants him being criticized.

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Hometeamgal says:

July 8, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Yes!! A “closer,” by definition is someone who closes out THE LEAD and brings home the “win” for the starting pitcher and the “save” for himself. Charlie Manuel forgot to read “the manual!”