Tough start to Brad Lidge's Father's Day as the Washington Nationals have released the relief pitcher.
In a season filled with struggles, Lidge was unable to pitch well.
In 11 games and 9.1 innings pitched, Lidge had a whopping 9.64 ERA.
The Nationals got him to setup their young closer, Drew Storen, but Storen has been out all season due to arm discomfort.
Since then, manager Davey Johnson has been forced to go to the closer-by-committee format.
Neither Lidge, nor Henry Rodriguez were able to do the job and, as of late, Tyler Clippard has taken over the closing duties.
Saturday afternoon, Brad Lidge gave up the winning runs against the New York Yankees in a game that was tied through 14 innings.
Lidge once again hits rock bottom. He will forever be remembered as the pitcher that gave up the big homerun to Albert Pujols in the 2005.
In the National League Championship Series, Pujols stepped to the plate with the St. Louis Cardinals down 4-2. With two outs, he smacked a three-run homer and gave the Cardinals the win.
The following season, Lidge was not the same, blowing six saves and finishing with an ERA over 5.00.
Lidge bounced back in 2008, recording a perfect save season and capturing a championship with the Philadelphia Phillies.
This will be not be the last we see of Lidge. Plenty of teams need help in their bullpens and the 36-year old still has decent velocity for his age.
The good news for the Nationals, they get back Storen sometime in July.
