After weeks of “Brad Lidge is my guy” responses by Phillies manager Charlie Manuel to reporter’s questions over the team’s closing situation, it appears that Brad Lidge is no longer the guy. Or at the very least, not the sole guy.

After getting himself into a jam (again) with a two run lead against the Nationals on Tuesday, Lidge was removed from the game in favor of set up man Ryan “Mad Dog” Madson, who did a nice job of locking it down and ending the Phillies’ four game losing streak. It took Madson just six pitches, all strikes, to record the final two outs of the game.

Manuel and the Phillies found themselves in a similar position Wednesday night, with a lead in the ninth inning against the Nationals. This time, however, Manuel completely bypassed Lidge, giving the job to Madson, who came in and preserved the win for the Phillies for his  sixth save of the season.

Manuel has been balancing his unwavering support for Lidge with his need to get the win for his team all season. Lidge is having one of the worst seasons for a closer in major league history, having blown ten saves to go along with an 0-7 record and 7.11 ERA.

“I’m getting kind of tired, if you want to know the truth. Really, I am. The reason is because I figure I can put [Lidge] in the game when I want to,” Manuel said about his struggling closer. “I’ve been very loyal to him. I’ve stuck with him. I did everything I think possible to get him going. There’s no way I want to ever lie to him and things like that. Like I told you last night, I don’t do that. I don’t have a history of doing that. I don’t do it. But at the same time, we’re going to win the game. Hey, the best way we can win the game. If Brad’s not out there to close, well then I guess that’s going to be my decision. We are going to play to win the game.”

While it is unclear right now whether Manuel has resigned himself to a closer by committee scenario, it is unlikely he will abandon Lidge entirely, and it is equally as unlikely that he will continue to risk every save situation down the stretch by putting Lidge in there. Expect to see Madson in save situations down the stretch, as long as he continues to pitch as he has this week, which is no sure bet. Madson had five blown saves of his own this season and struggled mightily earlier this season when Lidge went on the disabled list.

Look for former closer Brett Myers to get a look in the ninth inning should Lidge, or Madson, struggle over the next week or two. Myers returned last weekend after several months on the disabled list.