Charlie Manuel said Monday afternoon that Brad Lidge wasn’t ready to resume closing yet, but apparently changed his mind following a scoreless inning just a few hours later. After the game Manuel said:
Tonight he looked ready. His slider was better. His fastball was better. Everything about it was better.
Ryan Madson is set to undergo toe surgery Tuesday, so the path has definitely been cleared for Lidge to reclaim ninth-inning duties in Philadelphia.