Phils' bullpen a cause for alarm? Not yet

WASHINGTON - The thing about bullpens, see, is that even the best ones tend to be a work in progress. Managers and pitching coaches have a plan. Then some guys get overworked. Other guys couldn't get into the game if they bought a ticket.

Throw in some rain and pretty soon that neat, little chart looks a lot like the lineup card at the end of a 16-inning game, all tattered and dog-eared and messy with names written in here and crossed out there.

Just look at how much has changed since the Phillies arrived at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater for the first time this spring. Ryan Madson is the closer now. Back then the brass was uncertain enough about his ability to handle the role that they first gave it to Jose Contreras when it became clear that Brad Lidge would have to start the season on the disabled list. Antonio Bastardo was hardly a lock to make the team. He arguably has been the most dominant lefty reliever in baseball. Michael Stutes wasn't called up until the end of April. Lidge didn't come back until after the All-Star break. Michael Schwimer made his major league debut yesterday.

Veterans Danys Baez and J.C. Romero, in the meantime, have been released.

Despite all the churn, or maybe because of it, the Phillies' 'pen has been a strength most of the season.

Still, given the fickle nature of the position, the fact that the Washington Nationals came out of the series that ended on their sod yesterday with a pair of walkoff wins is sure to furrow some brows back in Philly. Especially the getaway, 5-4 gutshot in which back-to-back-to-back relievers made just enough mistakes to let an eminently winnable game slip away.

This is worth keeping an eye on. It's possible that this could all be an ominous foreshadowing, as dark and threatening as the storm clouds that caused a delay of an hour and 11 minutes in the top of the sixth and forced starter Roy Halladay out of the game after just five innings. But it's way early to start hiding sharp objects and obsessing about what all this portends for October. There's no need to panic now. If necessary, there will be plenty of time for that later.

Rain disrupted the rotation for the third time in 4 days. When that happens, the bullpen inevitably becomes discombobulated.

"Mother Nature. Not a hell of a lot we can do about Mother Nature," Charlie Manuel said with a shrug.