• March 28, 2024

Lee Implodes Late, Phillies Lose Series Finale

All good things must come to an end, and Cliff Lee’s scoreless inning streak was no exception. After throwing three consecutive shutouts, the ace’s scoreless inning streak would be snapped at 34 when Toronto’s Rajai Davis came around to score in the third inning on an RBI groundout. It put an end to one of the greatest streaks that a pitcher has had for the Phillies in recent memory.

Lee struggled throughout the game, and gave up seven runs (six earned) to Toronto. He was in control of the game until the eighth inning. He gave up back-to-back homeruns in the inning which gave the Blue Jays the lead, the first homers he had given up since May 31st.

The offense gave Lee a flurry of runs to work with in the second inning, scoring four runs on five hits in that inning alone. The runs were driven in by the bats of Ben Francisco, Carlos Ruiz, and Jimmy Rollins. However, after the impressive second inning, they would not be heard from again for the rest of the game.

They missed a critical opportunity to add a run in the eighth inning when Shane Victorino fell asleep on the base paths, and was picked off. Raul Ibanez hit a double several pitches later that would have easily scored Victorino.

It was a disappointing finish to a series that started out so strong for the Phillies. After taking the first two games in the series, and jumping out to a four run lead in the third game, the Phillies let an opportunity to sweep the series pass them by.

Denny Basens

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jimmy mac
jimmy mac
July 3, 2011 11:41 pm

am i supposed to be worried now?..sheesh..

DDCar
DDCar
July 4, 2011 12:07 am

Still won the series. That’s all that counts. Lee was grooving way too many pitches, late in the game. Charlie left him in too long, that’s what cost them.

paulman
paulman
July 4, 2011 6:25 pm

Lee giving up a big lead was a bummer, and he definetly left those pitches up in the zone in the 8th and he got rocked…. Fortuantely he’s a Pro enough that it won’t bother him next time out, I am concerned a little that Manager Charlie is keeping the big 3 Pitchers out 8 Innings + almost every start and sooner or later,that wear and tear will take a toll on these guys.. Maybe the shape of the current bullpen with only Stutes/Bastardo as the only real Relief Pitchers consistently pitching well, that he has to stay with the starters a little too long in some cases.. Now onto the MArlins where they need to win 2 of 3 to finish 1st Half on a pocitive note..