At 89 mph, the octane on his fastball wasn’t as high as it once was. And his slider, clocked at 81-82, wasn’t as menacing. But Cherry Creek High School grad Brad Lidge, one of the best closers of his generation, got credit for his 100th save in a Phillies uniform. Lidge is 223-for-266 (.838) in his career between the Phillies and Astros.
Lighting up lefties.
Todd Helton hit a solo home run — OK, so it probably wouldn’t have been out of any other ballpark — off Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo. Helton is hitting .300-4-14 vs. lefties in 110 at-bats. Last season, he hit .272-2-16 vs. lefties in 136 at-bats.
Spilly struggling.
Ryan Spilborghs grounded out as a pinch hitter in the ninth. He’s hitting .179 (17-for-95) with one home run since his .347 May.
Jim Armstrong, The Denver Post
