I know, I know, I know…everyone is “annoyed” with Brad Lidge for blowing the Save last night. Roy Oswalt pitched 7 2/3 innings allowing only one run which should be good enough for a win. Before everyone blames Lidge for this loss, let me point out a couple of things. The Astros had nine hits but only managed two runs while hitting into three double plays.
Lets also don’t forget that it was Chad Qualls who allowed the game losing two run shot to Jason Bay in the tenth inning.
Adam Everett note… He made an awesome play in the top of the ninth to keep the Pirates from taking the lead at that point. He caught a wounded duck of a ball that should have dropped in for a RBI hit. Also, found it interesting Garner had Adam batting second. Hmmm…..
Luke Scott who bats left handed got two hits off of left handed pitcher, Zach Duke. I guess this means that Jason Lane is going to be sitting on the bench for a while.
Biggio got a hit, only 69 more to go for 3000!
Okay, now Lidge time…
Listening to the post game show on KTRH last night, of course the callers were complaining about Brad Lidge. How he shouldn’t be our closer. It continued this morning on the daily sport talk shows. Phil Garner is still supporting his guy as this teams closer. I know fans have lost faith in who was one of the best closers in the game. He had the terrible season last year, and spring training this year.
Lidge dealt with the first two batters affectively. Xavier Nady hit a pitcher’s pitch for a homerun. Lidge didn’t leave one hanging to get yanked. Nady did a great job going down and driving that ball out. Hey, sometimes the batters win. One bad game doesn’t determine a season for a player. I can understand if fans have lost faith in Lidge. I am not going to pull the plug after one game.
Fans have to understand that Garner isn’t going to pull Lidge because really there isn’t another true closer on this team. There will be a time where if Lidge continues to struggle, Garner is going to pull him from the closer’s role. Just not after one game…
Lambo
2 Comments
You know, I understand that Phil Garner isn’t going to pull Lidge as the closer based on one game… but it’s not just one game. The linger memory of Lidge blowing saves or games, in past seasons, leaves a foul taste in fans’ mouth. And it will take a quite a few strong closing to get rid of it. How many times have your heard the follow from a fan,
“Oh man, the astros were up, then lidge comes up. The did fine against the first 2 batters, struck them out nice. After that… [know you can fill in possible scenarios] he walks the next 2 batters and ends up giving up a double… [or] he gives a homer [etc].”
There is a reason why he’s nickname has gone from “Lights out Lidge” to “F@#$-ing Lidge”
I’m sorry but if your _ONLY_ job is to pitch a single inning, 3 outs, and you can’t be 90-99% or better, you shouldn’t be there. Roy pitched very well last night and he didn’t deserve that and neither did the Astros Fan.
Just my 2 cents…
sketkar
Well, I have to slightly disagree…
You say the closer’s job is to pitch only one inning, and get three outs. It happens to be the three outs that is under one hell of a magnifying glass.
You are making it sound like any MLB pitcher can be a closer. Just get three outs… If it were so easy, how come every team doesn’t have an elite closer?
Yes, Roy pitched well enough to get the win. This wasn’t the first time Roy won’t get a win when he deserved it, and it won’t be the last time either.
There is no debate that Lidge had a setback season last year. I do think he does deserve a chance to have a come back season this year. If he continues to struggle, yes, the Astros has to do something about getting a closer. I am not willing to pull the rope after one game, unlike a lot of fans.
Lambo