The Phils once again looked like they might be hitting a lull. And yes, the fans were just one more loss away from panic.
They were coming off that rarest of things this season – consecutive losses – including the bitter taste of an umpire’s ruling that led them to play Sunday’s game in Florida under protest.
So having flown back to Philly and kicking off a big series with the second-place Braves, could they bounce back?
Absolute-Lee!
The Phillies got another dominating performance from left-handed ace Cliff Lee last night. He needed only 100 pitches to shut out the Braves, and the Phils offense torched Derek Lowe.
Lee kicked off September right where he left off in August, when he went 5-0, just as he did in June.
Lee struck out six in recording his sixth shutout of the season. And that would have been seven if he had not been nicked for a run after going down to the last out in his last start against the Reds.
Lee, now 16-7, is making a big push for Cy Young consideration. Ironically, some of his biggest competition comes from fellow “Four Aces” Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels.
Just how entranced is Philly with Lee, who won the hearts of local fans when he turned down more money from the hated Yankees to return to Philly? An at-bat late in Monday night’s game sparked a standing ovation.
Lee did not disappoint. He’s as hot as any Phillies pitcher has been in recent memory.
He has now won his last seven starts, five of those while shutting out his opponents.
Ya gotta’ be-Lee-ve!
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