The sea change was underway Tuesday night when Charlie Manuel lifted Brad Lidge in the 9th. It was more evident last night when, in a one-run game with Lidge starting to warm in the bullpen, Manuel put the call in for Ryan Madson. Madson allowed a hit, but got the save in a 6-5 win over the Nationals. It would now seem to be closer by committee--if not a yet-unstated decision to make Madson--or Myers--the man until Lidge gets things straight. In the end, it's all about winning games. For now at least Brad Lidge may be taking a seat next to Jamie Moyer. Things have a way of working themselves, even when they don't. The drama, meanwhile, continues.
It may just be the Nationals, a team that he does very well against, but Raul Ibanez is again looking like the Rauuuuuuuuul who won the hearts of Phillies' fans. He's hitting at a torrid clip and seems to be running again with ease.
The Reading Phillies lost game 1 of their play-off series with Akron. It was a sloppy game. The Lakewood BlueClaws, meanwhile, rode a good outing by Matthew Way, who went seven and gave up just one run, to beat Kannapolis 4-2. Reading continues tonight in Akron, while Lakewood and Kannapolis resume tomorrow, this time in Lakewood.
