Cliff Amazes in PhilLee Debut: Phils Win 5-1

Cliff Lee sure looks good in a Phillies uniform! 

Cliff Lee made Ruben Amaro, Jr. look like the smartest GM in the league after his outstanding start tonight.  Aside from a 12 pitch walk to former teammate Ryan Garko, Lee was perfect through 5 1/3 innings.  For the next 3 2/3 innings Lee wasn’t any worse for the wear, pitching a complete game four hitter, allowing one run on a sacrifice fly.  Not only was Cliff unbelievably good on the mound, but he showed the batting prowess of someone accustomed to hitting. He went two for three in the game with a run scored, missing a home run by inches.

All in all, Cliff Lee’s Phillies debut was perfect.  Nobody could’ve asked for more. If this is a sign for things to come, I have to ask, “Who needs Roy Halladay?”  Not only was Cliff Lee great tonight, but the other player we got in the deal, Ben Francisco, had the best 1 for 4 night I have ever seen.  He hammered the ball in all five of his at-bats and got his first RBI as a Phillie, driving in Cliff Lee.  If this game was in Philly, Ben Francisco may have had three homers tonight with the way he hit the ball.

The Phillies bats were silent for the most part of the game, starting out 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.  Through six innings they led 1-0 on a solo shot by Jayson Werth. Then the hitters got patient and the bats got hot.  After two walks, Ryan Howard got hit by a pitch to load the bases, and a walk to Ibanez make it 2-0 Phillies.  Jayson Werth hit a single to drive in Utley and Howard, and the Phillies took a 4-0 lead.

The Phillies didn’t look back.  Cliff Lee finished the game off with his third complete game in his last four starts. He got the first Phillies complete game since Cole Hamels shut out the Dodgers earlier in the month.  The Phillies finished off July 20-7 to bring their record to 59-42!