PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils continued their series with the Yankees this afternoon. J.A Happ got his first start of the season and delivered 6 strong innings, allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits. Meanwhile, the Phils touched up Andy Pettitte for 4 runs on 5 hits, but he went an inning longer than Happ, keeping the game close for the potent Yankee lineup. So it came down to the bullpen to hold on for the win, just as they had done all last season. Brad Lidge though has not been mr.Automatic thus far this season and he wasn't again today, leading to another Yankee 9th inning comeback. Before that though the Phils played a great game. In the top of the 2nd Raul Ibanez slammed his league leading 17th homer for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning Robinson Cano doubled and scored on a fielder's choice to knot it up at 1. In the top of the 5th, in his major league debut, AAA call up John Mayberry Jr(Miguel Cairo just wasn't getting it done as the Phils top righthanded option off the bench) slugged a 3 run homer for a 4-1 lead. In the botttom of the 6th, Happ made his only real mistake of the day, serving up a solo homer to Derek Jeter, cutting the lead to 4-2. It was still 4-2 heading into the 9th, and after Lidge struck out Mark Teixeira for the first out, with only one on, victory seemed assured right? wrong. Alex Rodriguez crushed a 2 run homer 6 pitches later to tie it at 4 and then Cano singled, stole second, and scored on a single by Melky Cabrera for the 5-4 Yankee win and Lidge's 3rd blown save of the season. Now many will say it is time dismiss Lidge and move Ryan Madson to the closer's spot. First of all I don't think there is enough depth in the Phils bullpen to do that right now. A little over a week from now when J.C Romero returns from his suspension and can be a steady setup guy for Madson, it would be feasible to move Ryan to the closer spot, but right now I think it would be tough to do so. Secondly, I think it is too early to dismiss Lidge as the closer. He's really not that far off. The slider has been just fine, ie; the strikeout of Teixeira, and he pitched well his last 4 outings or so coming into today. Also he's not the first pitcher to get hit around at new Yankee stadium, I mean that A-Rod homer was off the end of the bat and probably would have been an out at the Bank. The only problem he's had this season is locating his fastball at times. I think if he can just figure it out with his fastball he'll be fine. On the other hand if he blows anymore saves like this, and doesn't start to show any improvement before long, the Phils may have no choice but to move Madson into the closer's spot. Anyway the Phils drop to 23-18 overall and now lead the Mets in the NL East by just a half a game.