Lights out on Lidge

The other day I compared Brad Lidge with Keith Foulke. I don't remember when exactly in 2005 the fans turned on the 2004 playoff hero, but I have the feeling that today will go down as the date for Brad Lide.

As he was blowing a 4-2 lead to the Yankees (ruining J.A. Happ's first start of the year and John Mayberry Jr.'s first big league home run), Christine said, "Methinks Ryan Madson should be closing."

She is a pretty patient die-hard, so I can assume we will soon hear boos when Lidge's siren sounds at Citizens Bank Park.

Today was going perfectly. Christine and I lingered over a nice plate of grilled ribs while taking in the game. Happ pitched well, two runs in six innings. Mayberry, a surprise call-up, homered and stretched what should have been just a single into a double.

The day's only problem was when Fox racistly picked a random black guy in the fans and dubbed him Mayberry's father. They soon found the real John Mayberry Sr. Is it that hard to spot the correct former major leaguer?

Raul Ibanez even hit his major league-leading 17th home run. (Is he due for a test?)

But then the Phillies summoned Bard Lidge in the 9th. Christine noted that he lowered his ERA to below 8. It is now 9.15.

Here are the ugly details: Johnny Damon walked, then stole second. Mark Teixeira struck out. Alex Rodriguez (test him now) tied it up with a home run. Robinson Cano singled and stole second, scoring on a Melky Cabrera hit. Steroids 5, Champions 4.

I don't know how much longer they will keep running Brad Lidge out there. I guess they could always try Madson, but would they do that to the guy who was perfect last year? I don't think they'll seek help from outside the organization, but if they do, Adam Eaton is available.

Red Sox: The Red Sox attempt to even up the SoxandPhils vs. New York series with Josh Beckett against Mike Pelfrey. We'll be watching on MLB Network. Unfortunately, the Sox are losing 1-0 in the 1st. {Speak for yourself. Like I want to watch any more baseball today and the "highlights" of the Phillies debacle all night.}