What else could Manuel do but offer support after Andrew McCutchen's two-run homer in the ninth inning gave Pittsburgh a 6-4 win? What can anyone say or do about Lidge at this point in a season that refuses to stabilize? The questions are old and the answer is the same.

"He's our closer," Manuel said. "I've said it all over the place. That's the guy who we've got."

Lidge's friends in the bullpen are also at a loss. The Phils' relievers are a tight and supportive group, but as Scott Eyre said after the game, "There are no magic words. You can only walk by and tap him on the shoulder, and say, 'Hey, get 'em tomorrow.' "

But every time Lidge endures another disappointing game, he creates less confidence that tomorrow will be better. This one wiped out several positive developments for the Phillies, including two Jimmy Rollins homers and a patented ninth-inning comeback.

Other than the Rollins blasts, which continued his resurgence and vaulted him to third place among major-league shortstops with 17 home runs, the lineup sputtered through eight innings.

When Carlos Ruiz hit a one-out double in the ninth, the Phils were 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position. But Ben Francisco halted that stretch with an RBI double, tying the score at 3. Shane Victorino lofted a fly ball to center field and McCutchen misjudged it, first running in and then retreating backward while the ball fell on the grass for a triple and a 4-3 Phillies lead.

The Phils showed their characteristic refusal to give up on a game, but a troubled closer erases everything that came before him.

Lidge began the ninth by allowing a single to Luis Cruz, and lost the lead when Brandon Moss singled in pinch-runner Brian Bixler. McCutchen's homer came in the next at-bat.

Lidge had maintained through many bad outings that his pitches felt good, but tonight was different. "I didn't have anything on the ball tonight," he said.

The closer said he felt tired after pitching in three consecutive games before tonight. Pitching coach Rich Dubee asked Lidge how he felt, and Lidge said, "If you want me to pitch 10 days in a row, I will."

Whatever the reasons for Lidge's troubles - knee problems, confidence, fatigue, some combination of all those factors - the Phils face an obvious question mark as they hope to defend their World Series championship. Manuel continues to support his closer. What else can he do, until the day comes when he makes a change, if it does?

But the numbers are ugly: his 7.33 earned run average is the worst among qualifying major-league relievers by almost a full run. He has blown three more saves than any other closer, and he has left the ballpark miserable many times this year.

"Angry," Lidge said when asked to describe his reaction tonight. "It makes you angry."

Contact staff writer Andy Martino at 215-854-4874 or amartino@phillynews.com.