Cliff Lee Dominates the Dodgers, Leads Phillies to Win
By: Mike Reisman
There is no place like home. For the Phillies, these words were not just a famous phrase, but a statement that they hoped would be true, as they returned home from their nine game road trip tonight after going a mere 4-5, and not showing much promise in any of their games. The team looked to take their frustrations out on a Dodgers team that is having more off the field issues than on, despite being four games under .500 going into tonight's game. The Phillies would also look to do this before a home crowd of 45,777 a large amount even for a team that has sold out every home game for over a year.
Cliff Lee took to the mound tonight to face Ted Lilly, and for most of the game, the teams would be locked in a pitcher's duel. The Phillies would open the scoring in the 3rd, getting RBI singles from Placido Polanco and Ryan Howard to give the Phillies a two run lead.
From there, Cliff Lee would go on cruise control, striking out 10 batters over his seven shutout innings, and returning to Cliff Lee form, only walking one batter. Although he would allow seven hits, only two would reach scoring position, showing the true dominance of his performance.
The Phillies would add an insurance run in the 8th with a Carlos Ruiz double, making the score 3-0. The Dodgers would come into the 9th with nothing to lose, attacking Ryan Madson, and even scoring a run against him. However, Madson would regain his composure and leave the tying run in the batter's box for two consecutive batters, ending the game.
The final score would be 3-1, giving Cliff Lee his 5th win, and Ryan Madson his 13th save.
This game was definitely a step in the right direction for Cliff Lee who has been disappointing recently, being very inconsistent, and even walking a few batters. These are the types of games that Lee is expected to have constantly, not just once every few starts. However, if there is one connection between his wins, it is that home crowd that Lee came to Philly to see. In six games at home, Lee has a record of 4-1, and an ERA of just 2.34. These are the numbers that the former Cy Young needs to contribute if the Phillies want to make a run deep into October.
Though Cliff Lee was phenomenal tonight, the Phillies offense was not. If it were not for the two runs that the Phillies managed to score in the 3rd, their ship may have been sunk, and the Cliff Lee's performance may have been a lost cause. While it's fine to rely solely on your starters every now and then (after all it's why we have them), this cannot become a habit for the Phillies. Whatever it was that drove the Phillies in early April, and even for a few games about a week ago against Cincinnati, the Phillies need to find that, and start hitting again. Pitching may win championships, but hitting wins games, and you need to win games before you can win a championship.
The Phillies look to extend their short two game win streak tomorrow at 7:05 as Roy Oswalt takes on Rubby De La Rosa.