Thrust back into the closer's role, Brad Lidge gave up a game-tying homer to Mark Kotsay to start the top of the ninth Monday against the A's.
Same old Lidge. There just wasn't any good reason for the Astros to have Dan Wheeler and Lidge change roles again. Lidge did preserve the tie tonight, even though he gave up a double to the next hitter he faced and threw a wild pitch that got him to third. He'll probably get at least one more chance to save a game this week before the Astros consider going back to Wheeler.