WASHINGTON - Charlie Manuel has said it countless times. He's our closer. His confidence in Brad Lidge has rarely wavered after Lidge dropped to his knees on a cold October night in 2008. He's our closer. Even as Lidge stumbled through a disastrous 2009 season, Manuel almost always muttered those three words.
And after Lidge blew his fourth save of 2010 on Saturday night, a crushing 7-5 loss to the Nationals, they were the first words out of Manuel's mouth.
"He's our closer," the manager said.
That confidence is about to be severely tested.
Since the perfect season in 2008 that ended with a world championship, Lidge has lost his edge - specifically the velocity on his fastball.
Ryan Zimmerman hit a 92-m.p.h. Lidge fastball to the deepest part of Nationals Park for a three-run home run to end Saturday's game. It spoiled a comeback by the Phillies that was capped with a two-out RBI single by Carlos Ruiz in the top of the ninth.
Immediately, Lidge didn't show conviction in his fastball as he began the ninth. He allowed a leadoff single to Michael Morse. Nyjer Morgan bunted Morse to second. Adam Kennedy walked on six pitches. With a 2-1 count, Zimmerman hit the fourth pitch he saw - a fastball without the zip Lidge used to have.
"This whole year I don't think I've thrown a whole lot of pitches above 93," Lidge said. "I'm a guy who in the past was throwing 95-96, so this year I'm learning to pitch with a little bit less on my fastball."
According to data from Baseball Info Solutions, Lidge's average fastball velocity in 2010 is 92.5 m.p.h. In 2009 it was 93.6 m.ph. In 2008, it was 94.3 m.p.h. And in 2007, it was 95.4 m.p.h.
Manuel was asked if he thinks Lidge, who had two offseason surgeries and spent the beginning of the season on the disabled list, is hurt. He didn't answer.
"I can only go by what they tell me," Manuel said. "I'm not a doctor."
He stood by his closer yet again.
"We've been working with him for two years," Manuel said. "Right now we have to keep continue working with him. He has his moments."
Why does he have to keep working with Lidge?
"That's what we've got," Manuel said. "We signed him three years ago to be our closer. The talent is there. We just have to . . . I don't know. We have to keep working with him."
Since 2008, Lidge has converted 41 of 56 save opportunities. This season, Lidge hasn't pitched a clean full inning in a save chance since June 4.
