Lee Steals Show, Stifles Yankees

NFL News - October 29th, 2009 - Written by John

On baseball's biggest stage, against the most prolific stage, Cliff Lee made his first ever start in the World Series. Nervous? Hardly.

"This is the same game I've been playing since I was a kid," said Lee. "To be honest, I really never have been nervous in the big leagues. This is what I wanted to do my whole life."

It showed when he lazily snared a pop-up to the mound without even shifting his weight or raising his glove above his waist. And when he sheepishly smiled after his behind-the-back grab of a Robinson Cano. None of that, however, was more of an indication that he was at his mellowest than his line.

Nine innings, 10 strikeouts, no walks, six hits and one unearned, ninth-inning run. It was the first time any pitcher had a line that impressive since 1949.

It was more than enough to beat his former teammate, C.C. Sabathia, at Yankee Stadium and the Phillies are well on their way to a repeat title with a 6-1 win, on Sunday. Sabathia was very good, but not great. He only made two mistakes, leaving a pair of fastballs on Chase Utley's doorstep that resulted in solo home runs. They were the difference , although his teammates finally got in the act later in the game. It was just enough to scare, but not top the 7 1/2 run line given by BetUS.

The Yankees didn't score a run until a throwing error opened the door for Derek Jeter to score. He scored from second when Jimmy Rollins' throw to first on a double-play sailed wide. But Mark Teixeira, who was safe at first on the play, was stranded on second when Lee struck out Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada in order.

With the 1-0 lead, the Phillies will now turn the ball over to Pedro Martinez, a former Yankee killer with plenty experience in the Bronx as a member of the Boston Red Sox. He will face A.J. Burnett, who is making his first World Series appearance ever.

The two hottest hitters in the game, Ryan Howard and Rodriguez, had split result. Howard continued his MVP performance with two doubles and an RBI, while Rodriguez floundered. Rodriguez broke his streak of consecutive playoff games of a run driven in, striking out three times.

“I did keep it simple today. He kept it even more simple,” Rodriguez said. “He threw the ball well. When a guy comes out like that, you tip your cap and move on. He made some pretty good pitches.”

Only one Yankee player, Jeter, had more than one hit off Lee, doubling in the fourth and singling in the ninth.

“He was great. He’s been pitching like that the whole year, the last two years, the postseason,” Jeter said. “I don’t think it’s much of a surprise.”

Sabathia tossed seven innings, striking out six. He left with a 2-0 lead, but was foiled by his bullpen. Philadelphia scored two runs in the eighth off three relievers, and then two more in the ninth off a couple others. Raul Ibanez, who was previously hitless, got on the board when his grounder between first and second squirted into the outfield to score Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino and make it 4-0. In the ninth, Victorino's single to right off David Robertson made it 3-0, and Howard's ensuing double scored Rollins. For those who participated in MLB Betting it was an especially fun game to watch.

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