So far in this playoffs (tonight was start #4), Cliff Lee has been incredible. Tonight was no exception, as he did nothing more than toss a complete game, not allowing an earned run. Lee went the distance, allowing 6 hits, zero walks, while striking out ten. It was that kind of a night.
Chase Utley gave the Phillies a lead they would never relinquish, hitting not one, but two solo homeruns; one in the third and one in the sixth. CC Sabathia was effective, but not especially sharp, and was definitely outpitched by Lee. He lasted through the seventh, and his bullpen replacements were awful. A combination of Hughes, Marte, Robertson, Bruney, and Coke gave up two more to the Phillies in the eighth, and two more in the ninth.
Taking a 6-run lead into the ninth, Lee allowed leadoff singles to Jeter and Damon, but induced a ground ball from Teixeira. Utley made a nice play to get the one out at second, but Rollins threw the ball into the dugout, allowing the Yankees to score a token run. Lee then struck out A-Rod for the third time on the night (cooling off the .438 postseason average, 5 HR, 12 RBI) and Posada to end the game.
Phillies lead the series 1-0.
