The Daily Philadelphian

With the Phillies holding to a slim 2-1 lead over the Godawful Cleveland Indians Tuesday night, JC Romero emerged from the bullpen to get the save in the ninth inning, not Brad Lidge.

Lidge, who blew a save on Saturday, has never regained his 2008 form. Inconsistency has been his calling card the last year and change.

Of course, Romero gave up a hit and walked a batter, prompting Lidge to be called in for the save with two on and one out.

Lidge came in and showed signs that his slider has some bite to it, which would obviously help him regain his status as the closer for the Fightins. He battled to strike out Austin Kearns with a nasty slider, and then did the same to Jhonny Peralta. He also hit 92 and 93 on the radar gun with his fastball. Both are good signs going forward.

While Lidge ended up earning his fifth save in six opportunities, the fact remains that he didn’t get the call to start the inning.

Yes, you could make the argument that the Phils had planned to call in Lidge when they go to a righthanded batter all along. But, if Lidge is your stone cold closer, doesn’t he come in to start the game with the Phils clinging to a one-run lead?

Brad Lidge is far from the guaranteed, stone cold closer for the Phillies these days.

The Phillies will likely not say anything negative, and Chris Wheeler launched the PR campaign to save Lidge’s image during the broadcast.

“They’re starting a string of 20 straight until the All-Star break and likely just want an extra arm in the bullpen,” Wheels said.

OK, thanks, buddy. Wouldn’t Romero be an extra arm in the pen? Didn’t Lidge just have two days off? Again, your closer should be the man brought out with a one-run lead no matter what. Lidge didn’t start the ninth. Enough said.

Yeah, we’re not buying Wheels’ remarks, either.

For his part, Charlie Manuel was very short in cutting off Howard Eskin when questioned about Lidge’s role.

“He’s our closer in my mind and that’s all that matters,” he said.

He looked overly defensive of Lidge and we don’t believe him at this point. Actions speak louder than words. If he’s your closer, put him in to start the ninth.