Sunday, June 17, 2012

2012 Topps Heritage #283 Brad Lidge

Blue Jays 6, Phillies 5 (10 Innings)
Game 67 - Saturday Afternoon, June 16th in Toronto
Record - 31-36, 5th Place, 9 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Cliff Lee and the bullpen couldn't hold a 5-2 lead as the Blue Jays came back in extras to hand the Phillies their latest deflating loss, 6-5.

What It Means:  By nature, I'm an optimist.  I've been a Phillies fan since 1979 when my Dad took me to my first game.  I've rooted for the Phillies during very lean years, and during very good years.  Mathematically, the season isn't over and there's still a chance that the 2012 Phillies could come back and shock us all.  But the more I watch this team play, the more thoughts like, "Well at least all this diversity will make them stronger in 2013" are starting to enter my head.

What Went Wrong:  Lee remains winless on the season, as he couldn't escape the eighth inning.  Jimmy Rollins contributed to the latest loss with a wild throw that inning, allowing two runs to score.  Chad Qualls gave up the RBI-double that brought home the tying run.  Joe Savery allowed a lead-off walk in the 10th to Yunel Escobar and then balked him over to second.  Escobar would eventually score on Rajai Davis' RBI-single.

After the game, manager Charlie Manuel unloaded on his under performing team in a well-deserved and lengthy tirade.

Featured Card:  In another example of how members of the last great Phillies dynasty are falling apart, Nationals reliever Brad Lidge, who was 48 for 48 in save opportunities during the magical 2008 season, was designated for assignment today.  The roster move came the day after Lidge allowed the Yankees to take the lead in the 14th inning, increasing his season ERA to 9.64.  It's been a rough year all around for members of the 2008 World Series Champions.

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