Madson still Manuel's closer
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Madson still Manuel's closer
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
If the Phillies have a one-run lead and are in need of ninth-inning relief for starter Roy Halladay tonight, look for manager Charlie Manuel to once again summon Ryan Madson from the left-field bullpen.
"Ryan Madson, he's our closer," Manuel said the day after Madson couldn't protect a three-run lead against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.
Madson has a 7.71 ERA after seven appearances and even though Tuesday night was the first time he blew a save, he also failed twice earlier this season to keep an opponent from scoring when the Phillies trailed by one run. In the last two seasons, Madson has converted 13 of 20 save opportunities and has a 6.00 ERA in those games. In 67 non-save appearances over the last two seasons, Madson has a 2.84 ERA.
"I look at him and he's done this before and he's had times where he has had trouble closing games," Manuel said. "Other times he has been good at it. I think it's very important that if we get in a save situation tonight more than likely he's going to be there. He's my guy. That's the way the game goes. Just because they hit you one night doesn't mean they're going to hit you two nights. That's what this game is about."
here we go again....this is Groundhog Day.....instead of Lidge, Cholly will keep running Ryan out there even after he blows save after save.— jimyd0315- I thought Manuel was a genius and knew when to use the right players at the right time. Taking the easy way out with Madson doesn't indicate that is the case.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- Who else can close? Baez and his 95 mph fastball 3 ft outside?— AllDawk_AllTheTime
- OMG.....stubborn ol' fool....— scootch
- Gee, I remember another mnager who insisted on trotting out an unreliable closer even after he swore he wouldn't do it again. And it cost us a World Series. Charlie's similar 'can't break the habit' behavior with Lidge and Madson lost us at least one WS game last year. It took me several years to be able to watch Phillie baseball again after the first 'Wild Thing" debacle, hope it's not going to be the same with Charlie and the "Mad Dog".— atp2007
- Manuel gives his players the chance to perform without looking over their shoulders...as a player, you gotta love that.— JBP
- Rich Dubee, the worst piching coach in baseball, has ruined Hamels, MAdsen, Blanton, Happ, Romero and Lidge. Gomer, please fire him and hire your buddy, Dick Pole. How many blown saves do we have to put up with?— Dr. Michael
- Manuel could use a bullpen by committee. He doesn't have to use one person exclusively.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- Cholly is a effin' moron!!!! How did this hillbilly win this team a World Series!!!— Philadelphiafreedom81
- Agree with Dawk, there aren't a lot of options. Anyone who's critical of charlie should say who they'd raher have out there.— Jack Burden
- anybody for Durbin maybe Herndon just for now then you better hope Lidge can return to his 2008 form if not the Phillies will have to trade for a closer— Davida2807
- atp2007 for Phillies new closer!— lancersuck
Madson doesn't have the guts to be a closer. He can't handle the pressure- So atp, are you admitting you are a frontrunner?— pmoehrle5
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