Utley:  Rare passive mistake costly; 2nd base was his in 9th on PB.  Flyin’ Hawaiian scores on Howard ground ball to tie it up, continuing the pressure grip on Nats - win, then, an outfield base hit away.

Howard:  Surprised slimmed-down Ryan didn’t beat the relay (a strong-armed one) on the slow roller; on replay, looked like he got out of the box OK.    

How about that.  I just checked the box score on espn.com and I see that Lidge is now pitching the 8th.  I kinda thought we’d be seeing him tonight.

Charlie Manuel still views Brad Lidge as an excellent closer, possibly this season. And he plans on shifting the bullpen dynamic this month with the goal of fixing Lidge in time for the playoffs.
But if that does not happen, others will use September to prepare for  postseason job. What had become gradually clear this week and was made official in a meeting after Wednesday’s game: Lidge is no longer the Phillies sole closer, though he will likely still serve in that role at times, and could regain total control of the job this year.
In a meeting after Ryan Madson earned the save in Wednesday’s 6-5 win over Washington Wednesday, Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee informed Lidge of a change in the back of the bullpen. With the ultimate goal still to begin the playoffs with an effective Lidge as closer, the Phillies will use different pitchers in save situations in the near future.
Though Manuel did not name them, Madson and Brett Myers are the likely other candidates to close games. The manager summoned Madson Wednesday in part because Myers was unavailable after pitching four consecutive days.
Beyond that, specifics remained fuzzy. “It’ll be what it’s going to be,” Manuel said. “That’s the way I look at it. I see where he can be our everyday closer again.
Lidge said he agreed with Manuel’s approach. “It’s real simple. Just get me work to get me where I need to be, and that’s about it. I told him, listen, whatever you need me to do, I’ll be willing to take the ball any time.

and seconded by Todd Zolecki (5:07PM)-with some quotes from Manuel:
Brad Lidge‘s role in the Phillies bullpen has changed, but how his role actually works remains to be seen.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said before tonight’s game against the Nationals at Nationals Park that to get Lidge right he plans to pitch him in low stress situations – the Phillies leading or trailing by a few runs – with the possibility to close on occasion. But he also wondered when those situations — blowouts where he can get work — will present themselves.
“I don’t see us using him in the seventh or eighth inning,” Manuel said. “I look at him as a closer. That’s kind of where he fits. I see him pitching once he needs work. If we’re behind in the game or we’re ahead or something by a good margin we’ll get him to make sure he pitches live in the game and things. That’s kind of how I look at it.”
Could he still close?
“He could close,” Manuel said.
Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee met with Lidge after last night’s 6-5 victory, when Ryan Madson picked up his second save in as many nights.
“It’s real simple,” Lidge said. “Just get me work to get me where I need to be. That’s about it. I told him, ‘Listen, whatever you need to do, I’ll be ready to take the ball at any time.’ I told him it doesn’t need to be a save situation.’ Obviously, I’m ready to throw in those. But if we’re up by six runs, down by six runs, I feel like I’m very close to where I need to be, but it wouldn’t hurt to get a couple more outings. We’re on the same page with everything and we had a good talk.”

At least Madson’s throwing strikes.  That’s big.  Still have doubts regarding him in pressure cooker.  Contrary to conventional belief and situation (Zimmerman & Dunn on deck), Tuesday night was little pressure; most would’ve been an improvement over wildly ineffective Lidge; couldn’t have performed  worse.  Last night, got the job done, not masterfully.  And it is the Nats, and Phils are working with a 6 game lead and breathing room.
If Myers is healthy (and in shape), I like his fighter’s mentality over Madson’s to KO opponents.  That said, Madson’s stuff is lookin’ good, voice is deepening a little.    

Jim Callis is the executive editor of Baseball America, both the magazine and the website.  His expertise lies more with prospects, the draft, and the minors.  I came across his answer in the chat and thought I’d add it to our discussion even though his is nothing more than another opinion as you said.

Sure seems like we’re going to have a closer by committee approach, at least over the next couple weeks anyway.  I’m expecting to see a mix of Madson and Myers, with Lidge getting a couple chances here and there, depending on the situation (in both the 8th and 9th innings), which guy has been used a lot, which one is more rested, etc… 

I get the feeling that the job is now open for the taking and that Charlie is going to use the next couple weeks to see if Madson can handle the closer role better now than he did earlier this season (he’s off to a good start over these last two opportunities), how Myers progresses, and if Lidge will ever be able to become effective again this year, all the while waiting to see if one of them will step up and show that he is now the best man for the job.

Like I said yesterday, I sure hope someone does step up and the issue is settled before we head into the playoffs.  If there ends up being no clear-cut favorite, having an effective Myers and Madson share the 8th and 9th inning duties as Charlie sees fit wouldn’t bother me all that much, as it will still be a marked improvement over what we’ve gotten from sticking with Lidge.

Never have I seen a pinch-hitter go 0-30 without consequence.  Stairs riding a long way on one October pop. 

Madson.