Major League Baseball

Temporary demotion may work for Lidge

Published Aug. 28, 2009 5:01 p.m. ET

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Brad Lidge was temporarily demoted as his team's closer. And he understood why.




"I think it's a good move right now to get a couple innings in and hopefully straighten things out and get back to what I do," he said. "I'm not terribly surprised."

This was May 2006. Those were his comments in a Houston Chronicle story.

At the time, Lidge's ERA was above 6.00. He was less than one year removed from pitching in a World Series — and among the most popular players on a team that had made back-to-back postseason appearances.

Dominate. Capitulate. Repeat.

Lidge's career has run scalding hot and numbing cold, with brief lukewarm interludes. Perfect in 2008. Imperfect in 2009. His ERA is 7.33, up from 1.95 last year.

But the Phillies are standing by him. Even after Lidge's ninth blown save of the year, in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, manager Charlie Manuel said he will continue as the closer.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr., too. On Wednesday, he told FOXSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, "Lidge is our closer."

And I agree.

Sort of.

Lidge is their closer. He's under contract through 2011. He should be their closer in October.

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