After four balls, the closer saw Jason Giambi lumber to the plate as the Rockies' pinch-hitter. He instantly recalled an encounter the two had during the 2009 postseason.
"Jam shot," Madson said. "Cutter in."
Madson was not the closer then as he is now, using each save opportunity to disprove the notion that he is not suited for the pressure of the ninth inning. These Phillies do not score often and they do not allow many runs. A dominant closer, far from a given during these glory days of Philadelphia baseball - a magical 2008 by Brad Lidge the exception - will be required.
Madson struck out Giambi on five pitches, his third strikeout of the inning. He has converted all seven of his save opportunities. His ERA is a minuscule 0.53.
"His change-up is absolutely the best I've seen it," manager Charlie Manuel said afterward.
"It's good because my fastball is good," Madson said. "My change-up is like it's always been."
One of the game's best setup men has morphed into a reliable closer at age 30, on the precipice of a potentially lucrative free-agency winter.
"I don't care," Madson said about pitching the ninth. "Obviously, it's fun."
Fun was a word used by no one around the Phillies in the previous four games, or even the first eight innings of Wednesday's win. Cole Hamels dazzled in those eight innings. The offense failed to support him. Ho hum.
But then, in the bottom of the eighth, small ball came to Citizens Bank Park. Wilson Valdez led off with a single over the drawn-in third baseman. Shane Victorino, still not healthy enough to play but apparently good enough to bunt, pinch-hit and laid down a sacrifice. A wild pitch moved Valdez to third. He arrived home just ahead of a Ryan Spilborghs throw on Jimmy Rollins' sacrifice fly.
