Saturday, August 1, 2009

Lee even better than advertised

Cliff Lee didn't disappoint a single Phillies fan last night, tossing a complete game gem in his Phils debut to defeat the Giants 5-1.

Dominant from start to finish, Lee started his Phillies career with a strikeout and assists on consecutive ground outs from a quick one-two-three inning, and finished by inducing a game ending 4-6-3 double play.

He was absolutely outstanding on the mound, going five and a third innings before allowing a hit; overall allowing one run on four hits and two walks while fanning six. Lee also helped himself at the plate, entering the game with just two career hits and matching that total in one game with a clean single in the fourth and a double in the eighth that he smashed off the left-center field wall on a ball that would have been at least five rows deep in the Citizen's Bank Park seats.

Ben Francisco was smoking the ball all night, but his efforts yielded just one hit, a double in the fifth. Francisco was also robbed of a home run by AT&T Park's dimensions, smoking a ball that would have easily gone for a homer in Philadelphia.

Tonight's game features an intriguing match-up of Big Joe Blanton and wiry righty Tim Linececum. Cliff Lee will likely make his home debut on Thursday in the series finale against the Colorado Rockies.

1 comment:

  1. Lee pitched great. Thanks for commenting. A complete game in his first start with the Phils', who woulda thought. Carry this conversation back onto my blog. :)

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