From Justice's blog: http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2006/07/sheffield_told.html Yes, according to Gerry Fraley of DMN (Dallas Morning News). http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon.../stories/071606dnspoaroundmajors.10856f1.html Slider fade Houston general manager Tim Purpura helped an erratic offense by picking up Aubrey Huff from Tampa Bay. The Astros are going nowhere if they do not straighten out closer Brad Lidge. He began Saturday's play with four blown saves in 29 chances. That is as many blown saves as Lidge had in each of the previous two full seasons. The problem is pitch selection. Lidge believes his slider is as good as it was in 2004-05 and insists on throwing it in all situations. Lidge is fooling himself. The slider has flattened out. Hitters know it is coming and are whacking it. Lidge also has a superb 97-mph fastball that he needs to use more often. If not, the Astros' late-inning troubles will continue. They have lost 12 games when leading or tied through seven innings.
Only 4? Wow, I'm shocked... I would have guessed at least 6 or 7. EDIT: LOL, I forgot the one where he blew the 4 run lead... That wasn't a save op... Any other games like that earlier in the year?
I have no clue why Justice's name is in the thread. It's a DMN blog that doesn't even quote Justice. However, the Astros might be thinking the same thing, according to Justice's blog from yesterday: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/justice/baseball/4050790.html Lidge goes to school If you're looking for positives, there was an obvious one in the visitors' clubhouse after Sunday's game. Huddled together watching video were Brad Lidge (who allowed a run in the ninth) and Dewey Robinson, the organization's roving minor league pitching instructor. Robinson was instrumental in helping Lidge get to the big leagues. Lidge may trust Robinson more than any other teacher in the organization. Robinson should have been summoned the moment it became clear that no one at the big league level — Purpura, Garner, pitching coach Jim Hickey — had a solution for Lidge's problems. One way to evaluate organizations is how they handle problems. It has never seemed that Lidge's slump was attacked with any real urgency. Purpura might argue the issue was dealt with quickly and decisively. Yes, but what would life be without someone to second-guess everything that goes wrong? As with the firing of Gaetti, Purpura should be commended for not sitting still. Patience is a virtue for half a season. After that, it's paralysis. Whatever internal moves he attempts with his bullpen come without risk. It's time for Hirsh — and perhaps even Matt Albers at Corpus Christi — to get a chance. It's not like they'll do any worse. ------------------------------------------------------ I understand that many posters here either dislike Richard Justice or doubt the veracity of his reporting and/or thinking, but he has a point here with Lidge.
