Contreras was closer; Lidge was unavailable
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Contreras was closer; Lidge was unavailable
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Updated: 12:15 MST. . .
We didn't really get a straight answer tonight about why Jose Contreras was the team's closer, except that the Phillies "wanted to stay away from" Brad Lidge.
But the closer later told reporters from two web sites that he was suffering from stiffness in his right elbow, which was surgically-repaired this offseason and was part of the reason he spent the first month of the year on the disabled list.
"Today it didn't feel great," Lidge said, according to the team's web site. "I'm not worried. It's some of the things hopefully we won't have to deal with for very long. Out of surgery, here and there, there might be something like that. I guess it's pretty normal. That's what they told me. Hopefully I'll be ready to go tomorrow."
Contreras pitched a scoreless ninth inning, preserving a 9-5 win over the Rockies, the Phillies eighth in 10 games and their 20th in 32 this season (that's a backwards way of saying they have a 20-12 record). It was a non-save situation, but manager Charlie Manuel said afterward that Contreras would have gotten the call even if it was a save situation (Carlos Ruiz singled home the go-ahead run with one out in the ninth, then was followed by a three-run home run by pinch-hitter Ross Gload).
"We were actually trying to stay away from (Lidge)," Manuel said. "When we got the lead and everything, we were still going to use Contreras. I was still going Contreras. But Lidge can pitch and more than likely he'll be ready tomorrow. He's OK."
The natural follow-up question then came: Why were you staying away from Lidge?
"He was OK, but we were staying away from him tonight because he pitched yesterday," Manuel said. "I talked to (pitching coach Rich) Dubee before the game, he felt like we were trying to make sure we go pretty easy with him at first. He was wanting to pitch and everything. We just thought we'd kind of stay away from him. We wanted to stay away from him and Durbin."
Lidge recorded his first save of the season on Sunday, allowing a couple of hard-hit balls but pitching a 1-2-3 ninth in a 5-3 win over the Braves. He only threw eight pitches on Sunday, and was coming off a five-day layoff. Lidge has already pitched once on back-to-back days this year, throwing back-to-back scoreless innings against the Cardinals on May 3-4 and throwing 30 pitches in the process.
Contreras, meanwhile, was pitching on three straight days for the first time this season. He allowed a double, but retired the other three hitters he faced.
Durbin was obviously unavailable, having thrown 35 pitches in 2.1 innings on Saturday and Sunday.
^
Juan Castro made his first appearance in five games, playing the bottom of the ninth at short stop after Gload pinch-hit for Wilson Valdez, who earlier in the night hit into his fifth double play in 32 at-bats.
Castro has missed five games with what originally was labelled a hamstring strain, but is actually a strain in the back of the knee.
Manuel said he did not know if Castro would start Tuesday.
^
Carlos Ruiz went 4-for-5 with a home run and the go-ahead hit.
ANYONE COULD HAVE HIT FOR VALDEZ....GEEEEZ— stoky- I wonder if Valdez can actually hit the ball over the infield.
- Lidge continues his pattern of saying he is OK, then having to sit out with some sort of ache or pain. His credibility is questionable.— mick314
Comment removed.- This is getting very old. He must face that something is wrong.— Philly4fanDoc
- Valdez shouldn't be on a major league roster. Get well soon Castro and Rollins.— ESFjellin
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- I wonder if the cool weather may be hampering Lidge from getting his elbow as loose as he would like?— alsdad41
- ER-IC BRUNT-LETT (clap-clap, clap-clap-clap)! ER-IC BRUNT-LETT (clap-clap, clap-clap-clap)!— andrewfrombrooklyn
- DooDoo - Doo anything ever please you? You're about as negative as my 2 year old. Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!— alsdad41
Bring up Ransom and get rid of valdez!- 5 DPs in 32 AB? Why not let Brad Lidge hit? A K is better than a GIDP...BTW, Doodoo, if the few numbers in this article are too much for you, why not go back to 1st grade where you belong?— Bobby G
- Like I said months ago, Lidge may only be in his early 30's but his body is now in his early 40's due to all his surgeries. It's not that players in their 40's can't play, it's that their bodies don't bounce back from the rigors of playing very well. He will have periods of time where he will not be available for the rest of his career, however long it is. He will have to be nursed thru innings and the numbers of games he can pitch in in any given week. More than likely he won't be able to go in more than 2 games a week this year, and there may even be weeks where he'll need complete rest. Good thing we have Contreras and Baez. Either one of them is capable of closing games without the stress on the cardiac system that Lidge produces on a routine basis.— Mark1npt
- How long is this soap opera going to continue?— richw38
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- Everyone needs to settle down. The guy's not 22 years old and it's gonna take time before he completely heals. And don't forget that what his arm does on a daily basis ain't normal, so you can't expect a typical recovery from that kind of surgery. Thank God for Ruben and his foresight to sign Contreras and Baez.— beegal99
- great, a closer that can't pitch in back to back games— eagles84
It's starting to look like Charlie will have to juggle Lidge and Contreras (and maybe Baez) all season in the closer's spot. That's OK with me. Contreras has great stuff and a wicked mentality, and Baez has closed before and can again.- They should have tried to stay away from romero. This guy is close to being done; he was obviously falling off last year and is horrid so far this season. Charlie/Rich admitted last week that he is pretty much there just for lefties now but he is still having trouble with them. RAJ needs to find us a LHP out of the pen— jbourne53
sooner he blows it out the better, turn this page.- I'll at least give Lidge credit for coming out and saying he DIDN'T feel great for once.... Also, if the post-PED JC Romero is going to be topping out at 88 mph, they may want to consider making room for Bastardo
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- When we're sweating a 3rd string SS like Valdez, then you know we're doing well. He'll be gone as soon as Rollins is back. Valdez is what he is...3rd string.— davekrieg
- The Phils think tank has taken a lot of heat for trading Cliff Lee and not resigning Chan Ho Park, but they have to be given credit for acquiring Contreras, and possibly some combination of Figueroa, Baez and/or Herndon. The events of the last 2 days have made it apparent that Lidge may not close as many games this year as originally hoped. His 2 near-homer performance on Sunday, followed by last night's sore elbow unavailability indicates that the Phils may have to hand the ball to a different closer more often than not. Contreras currently looks like the strongest candidate for the closer role, and the Phils may need to establish him as their official closer sooner than later. Be it a physical problem or confidence issue, Lidge has not returned to his closer role with much fanfare. He is still an exceptional pitcher, but his roller coaster ride as the Phils closer has had more valleys than peaks for quite some time. Lidge may still be able to help the Phils out of the bullpen this season, but not as a closer. Fortunately, the Phils have other options.
- He is their third string ss everyone. DooDoo you are a disgusting person. We do not like you or your juvenile answers. You should be banned due to bad taste alone, which may explain the quality of your women!— mmmike22
- Contreras has the potential to be a good closer. I cannot trust Lidge after last year and him already starting to break down in May.— CSFurious
- DDF: I am going to guess, you are about...13yo?— Jim C.
- I agree with Mark1npt. I think we've seen the last of Lidge as an everyday closer. I bet he ends up as a spot closer here and there and ends up mainly as a 1 or 2 batter reliever for the rest of his contract here. Its 1 nagging injury after the other and quite frankly Im good with that. He looked awesome 2 appearances ago against the Cards but looked very average and lucky against the braves his last time out. I think when we look back at this era 10 years from now we will realize that like many world series winners, the 2008 phillies were fortunate to have several players have career years.I think thats obviously the case with Lidge. Not only because he was perfect that year, but even just being considered an "elite" closer is probably out the window at this point. Throw Romero and Moyer in there as well. Dobbs too and hopefully not Hamels, but we shall see.— Sewellmatt
- Look for Billy "The Rat" Wagner at the trade deadline. The Braves should be toast by then and have a kid ready to step in as closer.— rmpchf
- Contreras is throwing the ball great. He should be our closer. I would use Lidge in non save situations and see if he can regain his form before he goes back to that role.— bradco
- Its nice to have another option in Contreras...hope Lidge gets better but lets move on if he doesn't— LongtimeFan3
- How much longer do we have to deal with Lidge's myriad of issues? I appreciate what he did in 08, but I would like to see us move on with someone else in the closer role. Who that is? No idea, but I'd like to explore options for 2011.— KevinRx
- They are afraid of the mole...— cadilacjack
- Lidge is toast, and that contract extension looms large as one of Ruben's biggest mistakes.— WindyCityEagle
- Drama, drama, drama. I'm getting sick of this guy and I never thought I would say that after 2008.— gluteman
- Lidge is done and Contreras should get the nod to replace him. for 2 years we have been lookin for the guy that can get the job done and Eureka, we have found him. Tell Lidge to have a nice day and thanks for 2008 but this is 2010 and you aren't the same pitcher... Give one of the kids down on the farm a shot.— brinkmang
- many of you racists and bigots here have been screaming for YEARS that rollins should be traded or moved down in the line-up he can't do this or that etc..yet when it comes to utley (and a large degree)lidge now their are a-hole excuses,he must be nursed the weather is too cool for his elbow,the sun is shining too bright he did not eat his wheaties,this guy is a DISASTER he was a head case before he arrived in phila. he makes 12 million a year and can't get out 3 batters in 1 inning and if the wind had not been blowing hard at sunday's game the 2 balls hit off of him leave the park. leave contreras as the closer he throws 94-98 mphs fastballs can work more than 1 inning and makes no where near what lidge the opener(he certainly can't close)does. and they gave up m. bourne for this lunatic.— only 9
If the wind was not blowing in on Sunday or if it had been a hot day (as Charlie says, "Hittin' weather"), Lidge would have given up two bombs. Both fly balls fell straight down at the fence, knocked down by the breeze.— lgroniko
I'm perfectly good with Contreras closing games until Brade gets his act together. Contreras has a power arm with good off speed stuff. Along with Baez the Phillies have real power in the bullpen.— delcodanno- only 9, what you have just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone on this page is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
- CLIFF LEE says he has never been too fond of fat chicks...— stan the man too
- Didn't think it got much worse than Bruntlett....than we got to see Valdez. -not bob levy— remyy
- The least Valdez could do is grow a beard.— malaysian mink
- doodoo you suck.— Phillies08
- Lidge should get his mole lasered off.— Serge_Matthews
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- andrewfrombrooklyn, I saw Eric Bruntlet play last week. He wasn't very impressive against the Iron Pigs, for the Nationals AAA Team.— nascarpweb
- *** IF this is just a case of bringing Lidge along slowly to get his arm strenghty back up...IF that is all this is.. then it is no big deal..... BUT the problem is that Lidge Lied his arse off several times in 2009 saying "nothing is wrong" then had 2 or 3 surgeries.— wxdavid
- Who at Lehigh or Reading could replace Valdez if Castro is not ready yet??? Names? As to Brad, he needs more than a day off each time he pitches. Hey, Bastardo hasn't pitched for a long while and either has Nelson. After all, most of our staff only goes 5 innings so they have to balance off as many pitching without wearing them out now.— KGKoons
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- being a betting man I say Lidge is done--put a folk in him !!! Sunday night if there wasn't hail type wind blowing in the first 2 batters would have homered to tie the game.— jwatson
- Lidge has elbow stiffness and Romero can't throw his fastball over 90 mph. Wow. Both are done. Get rid of 'em. Thank goodness this is Lidge last year.— scootch
- It was really cold in Colorado. A little stiffness is bound to happen for a player coming off of surgery in a cold weather environment like that. Not a big deal.— JimG
- Yeah but Doo-Doo you don't please anyone....— Scobie1
- DooDoo, it appear you have chosen the proper screen name since you seem intent on distributing excrement on just about everything and everyone.— Eddieboy
- you were dumb before you read my article which only states FACTS too bad for you. I dont need your god keep it to yourself.— only 9
- only 9 - you shouldn't publish youfr I Q.— alsdad41
- Richw38 ... until his contract expires.— DPL
- Stop complaining about Valdez. Sure he can't hit, but he sure can play the toughest defensive position on the diamond. How many other third string shorts stops can turn a double-play doing a Rollins-inspired spin move. Now the big question is why isn't Charlie forcing him to bunt if there's a guy on base? Having said all that, I've never been so excited to see Jimmy Rollins swing for the fences on every pitch.— phasor
- All I can say about Lidge and Romero is thank god we have Mathieson and Bastardo in waiting. Once Mathieson and Bastardo are up we'll have 4 Bullpen guys throwing 95 or better AND Bastardo doing it from the left side. I just hope Kendrick doesn't stay in the Pen once Happ is back. Maybe we can trade him to the Astros for Oswalt :) (a man can always dream right?)— phasor
