Monday, September 14, 2009

Another vote for Pedro

Maybe the Eagles should sign Pedro Martinez as their backup quarterback.

All the aging righthander did last night was toss 130 pitches in shutting down his old teammates as he lifted the Phils to a sweep of the Mets.

Martinez went eight innings and did not surrender a run as the Phils held on to a 1-0 lead. In the process they took both ends of the day-night doubleheader.

In the afternoon game, the Phils managed to eke out a 5-4 win, one that was made much too close for comfort by the continuing struggles of closer Brad Lidge.

Lidge entered the game in the ninth with the Phils up 5-2. Stomachs started to churn almost immediately as the first batter smacked a single to center. Forced to work from the stretch, Lidge struggled, pretty much the way he has all year.

The Mets scored two runs to close within 5-4 before Lidge managed to seal the deal. Lidge’s performance muddied what had been a very good start from Kyle Kendrick, who went seven and a third strong innings

It was all Pedro in the nightcap. He scattered six hits over eight innings, throwing a whopping 130 pitches along the way.

Luckily for Lidge, everyone today will be talking about Martinez, or the injury to Donovan McNabb.

That does not change the fact that the Phils continue to have a problem with the closer’s spot.

Even Brett Myers struggled this weekend.

How about this for an answer? Count this as one vote for Pedro. Yes, I know that with the injury to J.A. Happ, Martinez might be needed for the Phils’ starting rotation.

But if not, why not have him coming out of the bullpen to slam the door.

Martinez clearly has the mentality to close games that Ryan Madson does not, and Brad Lidge seems to have misplaced.

I’ll take Pedro.

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