Saturday, May 21, 2011
Posted: 9:47 p.m.Updated: 11:20 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
BOX SCORE
The best part of Cliff Lees night came when he received a hug from his 10-year-old son Jaxon in the clubhouse after the game.
The second-best part was the victory he earned on the pitchers mound. It was special for a couple of reasons. First, it had been a long time coming. And second, it came against the team he pitched for in the World Series last year, one of the teams he turned down in making his decision to sign a five-year, 120-million contract with the Phillies in December.
It feels good to win, Lee said after pitching eight shutout innings in leading the Phillies to a 2-0 win over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night. Any time you go deep into the game and dont give up a run, its good.
Ryan Madson closed out the shutout with his ninth save in as many chances. Phillies pitchers lead the majors with nine shutouts. This one came against a club ranked fifth in batting average, third in runs and second in home runs in the American League. In other words, no slouch.
MLB
I know the talent in that clubhouse, said Lee, who made 20 starts with the Rangers last season, including five in the postseason. I know how good they can be. They put it to some pretty good pitchers last year in the playoffs. Youve got to keep the ball out of the heart of the plate.
Lee received a break as the Rangers opted not to bring 2010 AL MVP Josh Hamilton and power-hitting outfielder Nelson Cruz off the disabled list for the series. Even with those two bats, the Rangers would have had a difficult time with Lee, who used his breaking ball more than usual.
Those guys know I like to throw my fastball so I tried to use it less, Lee said.
Regardless of what pitch he threw, Lee attacked the strike zone as if it were a punching bag. He threw 122 pitches, 85 of which were strikes. He struck out 10. He allowed just five hits.
Hes a lot like Roy Halladay in that when he comes to pitch that day he comes to beat you, manager Charlie Manuel said. And I get the impression he wants to impress you while he beats you.
Lee has reached double digits in strikeouts in half of his 10 starts this season. Of course, he has just three wins in those starts, but thats not his fault. He has been plagued by poor run support. This was his first win since April 14.
Its not frustrating, Lee said of the poor run support.
He added, however, that it was surprising.
You expect offense like this to score more, he said. But its not from lack of effort or guys trying to get out. For some reason the offense has been in a funk. Thats where your pitching can bail you out.
The offense should get a boost in the coming days. Chase Utley could be activated from the DL as soon as Monday.
Lee didnt receive much run support in this game, but he and Madson made sure it was enough.
Ryan Howard opened the scoring with a solo homer to left, breaking an 0-for-23 skid, the longest of his career. Before the game, Howard joked that he was trying to find some greenas in grass. He found blueas in outfield seatsfor his 10th homer.
Thats even better, said Howard, who also had a single. This was a step in the right direction.
Texas starter Colby Lewis walked just two. Both came with two outs in the sixth and John Mayberry Jr. made him pay with an RBI single to give the Phils some important padding.
Otherwise the night belonged to Lee. He even had a hit and a stolen base in the fifth inning. The stolen base came with two outs and a man on third. The Rangers werent holding Lee at first so he took off.
He did a good job there, Manuel said. But he better not get thrown out because nobody told him to go.
Actually, Shane Victorino told Lee to go. The Decidin Hawaiian.
I was thinking it, Lee said. Shane was screaming at me from the dugout to take off so I did.E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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