The Zo Zone

Last night's 6-5 victory over the Florida Marlins at Citizens Bank Park certainly had its memorable moments:

- Aaron Rowand went 4 for 5 with a home run to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games.
- Jimmy Rollins hit his league-leading ninth home run in the eighth inning to tie the game, 4-4.
- Chase Utley hit his fifth home run in the eighth to take a 5-4 lead.
- The Phillies loaded the bases and scored the winning run on some small ball in the ninth.

But what about Tom Gordon?

Gordon blew his third save in seven opportunities this season. According to Stats, Inc., Gordon has the worst save percentage (57.1 percent) in the National League. Only three other relief pitchers in the league have blown more than one save (Gordon has three): Pittsburgh's Salomon Torres has saved 7 of 10 (70 percent), San Diego's Trevor Hoffman has saved 4 of 6 (66.7 percent) and Washington's Chad Cordero has saved 3 of 5 (60 percent).

In the American League: New York's Mariano Rivera is 0 for 2.

Charlie Manuel said last night that Gordon remains his closer, even with Brett Myers in the bullpen.

So how does a team that made such a dramatic move (Myers to the bullpen, Jon Lieber to the rotation) during the season not take the next step?

Here's my best guess: 1) Loyalty. 2) The belief that it's still early enough for Gordon to turn himself around. 3) Manuel doesn't feel Myers is ready for the job yet.

Managers stick with their closers, and not just in Philadelphia. Houston's Phil Garner stuck with Brad Lidge forever before he finally pulled him. Pittsburgh's Jim Tracy is taking heat about Torres, but has stuck with him. Larry Bowa stuck with Jose Mesa longer than he should have before he finally pulled him in 2003. (Mesa actually held the job until Aug. 8 that year, even though he had a 5.91 ERA at that point. Bowa worked himself back into the closer's role before the end of August before Bowa ultimately iced him the final month of the season.)

The guess here is that Gordon gets multiple opportunities to prove himself before Manuel gets serious about possibly permanently moving Myers into the closer's role.

*

Geoff Geary has been money in critical situations this season.