WASHINGTON - The phone rang just before 10 p.m. Mick Billmeyer, the Phillies' burly and newly cleanshaven bullpen coach, answered. Brad Lidge had already begun his usual pre-appearance stretching routine, bending at the legs, loosening his muscles, preparing to shed his windbreaker and take the mound. It was the ninth inning, and the Phillies held a slim lead and, for nearly 2 years, that situation had called for just one man.
But last night, when the call came in, the voice on the other end of the line ordered an audible. And so Ryan Madson trotted to the bullpen mound and began to warmup, and Lidge walked into a doorway and disappeared from sight. A half-inning later, Madson jogged in to the mound to retire three of four batters for the save, and Lidge watched while seated on a plastic chair with the rest of the relievers.
"I don't want that to be a big thing," manager Charlie Manuel said later, after Madson had recorded his second save in as many nights, closing out a 6-5 victory over the Nationals that improved the Phillies to 79-58.
But it is a big thing. The Phillies are not just any team. They hold a six-game lead in the National League East with 25 games left to play. They are looking to repeat as champions. And Lidge is not just any closer. He is being paid an average of $12.5 million annually through 2011 to save games. He turned in one of the most prolific relief campaigns in recent history last season while helping lead the Phillies to their title. His voice narrates the official commemorative DVD from 2008 titled "The Perfect Season."
So while Manuel understandably tried to dampen the significance of his decision to tap Madson for the save - Madson allowed a leadoff single to Justin Maxwell, then struck out Cristian Guzman and got Adam Dunn to line into a game-ending doubleplay - it had little effect. For the second straight evening, Madson recorded a save when presented with the narrowest margin for error.
"Madson pitched good last night, and plus I wanted to leave Lidge alone," Manuel said. "Lidge will get a chance to save some games for us. But tonight, I wanted Madson."
The move comes at a point where most teams with a six-game division lead are cruising toward the postseason. But the Phillies have made it clear they are not most teams.
An offense that had spent a considerable portion of the last month in hibernation is showing signs of awakening from its slumber. Raul Ibanez went 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI, improving to 9-for-20 with four RBI on this road trip after going just 6-for-52 with one RBI in the previous 15 games. Jayson Werth hit his 33rd home run of the year. Pedro Feliz hit his 10th.
But they also struggled when presented with opportunities for big innings, leaving runners in scoring position in the first, second, fifth, seventh and ninth innings.
Lefthander Cliff Lee allowed at least five runs for his third consecutive start, yet improved to 6-2 while giving up four earned runs on 10 hits in seven innings.
"I felt good," said Lee. "We won the game, so that's the No. 1 thing. I threw strikes, made them swing the bat, we made plays and scored more runs, so that's the name of the game. I feel pleased with it."
But the bullpen drama overshadowed everything. Lidge briefly addressed reporters after the game, but said he had not talked to Manuel about the decision to go with Madson.
"We won the game," said Lidge, who has blown 10 saves and has an ERA of 7.11. "Madson did a great job. I didn't play in the game, so there isn't a lot for me to say."
Madson said he had a feeling he might get the call when Manuel stuck with Chan Ho Park in the eighth.
"I didn't know what to expect," said Madson, who has six saves this season. "If they call my name, I'll be ready to go out there. That's all I was thinking. And that's going to be my mentality for the rest of the season. Whatever the inning is, just go get outs. That's all we need to worry about, is getting outs, at this point."
Manuel said he planned to speak with Lidge about the ninth-inning situation. He did not shed much light on his plans last night. One thing, however, is clear: For the time being, Lidge is no longer his automatic choice.
For more Phillies coverage and opinion, read David Murphy's blog, High Cheese, at http://go.philly.com/highcheese
