As a former Astro watching his replacement blow a save against his new team, he recognized the juicy irony.

"You don't relish anyone giving it up, but it was a pretty awesome comeback," Lidge said.

Lidge spent the first six years of his career closing for those Astros, and was part of an organizational overhaul last winter. The right-hander said often he welcomed the change of scenery.

It's human nature for Lidge to be particularly interested in Valverde's exploits, despite not knowing him personally, and he had a front-row seat Tuesday night.

"There's a little more emotion," Lidge said. "You want to beat everybody, but I think everyone has a natural feeling of wanting to do better than the team you were just with. It was a lot of fun to watch how that happened. I don't take delight in anybody giving it up, but it was fun to see our guys come through like that."

Understanding karma and the nature of closing, Lidge refuses to celebrate too much. He was on Valverde's side of blowing saves eight times last season, which likely contributed to him being dealt.

"It's tough," he said. "The rest of that day, you feel like a bum, and then the next day you come in. The best part of our job is that we have another chance to come in and redeem yourself that night. You have to remember that. When you wake up the next morning, you have to be fresh and ready to go."