The One in Which the Bad Cliff Lee Showed Up: Astros 7, Phillies 0

by David S. Cohen on Sep 4, 2009 10:47 PM EDT

Through his first five starts with the Phillies, Cliff Lee looked like Superman combined with Cy Young. He was unhittable, and the Phillies were certain of a win in his starts.

But, in his last start, he was roughed up by the Braves. And tonight, the Astros did the same. Lee suffered in the second inning from a series of tough hits and bad breaks, giving up 4 runs while throwing 42 pitches. He then gave up another 2 in the third, leaving the game after that.

It didn't help Lee or the Phillies' bullpen that the offense didn't show up against Wandy Rodriguez. But this is becoming a recurring theme for the past few weeks.

Let's hope the Phillies can break out of their years-long slump against the Astros for the next three games in this series. The Phililes are 11-21 in their last 32 games against the Astros. Ugh.

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Hmm.

You don’t suppose Lee is hurt, do you?

He fell victim to some bad luck tonight for sure, but from what I saw the other guys were fouling off a good deal of pitches. Something is amiss with his delivery methinks.

Could just be “dead arm” though, which may have been postponed from earlier. Maybe the adrenaline rush / excitement of being traded from a cellar dweller to the WFC sustained him for a little while, as did the fan support and everything else. So maybe he’s just hit a rough patch for the moment. I certainly hope that is the only thing happening here. It would be a shame to not have Lee at the top of his game, especially since Hamels seems to be getting his groove back.

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Sep 4, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions

I agree. The bases loaded situation was only because of dinky type of hits… it appeared his pitches were in good places – there were plenty of broken bats.

I think it was some bad luck mixed in there and hopefully we will see some better luck with the next outing. Very difficult to win without any offense though.

by tat167 on Sep 5, 2009 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Cliff Lee explodes on the night Roy Halladay tosses a 1-hitter against the Yankees. Oh my God, we traded for the wrong guy! How can we undo this?

(Kidding, obviously.)

by PhillyFriar on Sep 4, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions

The no show offense isn’t a recurring theme, it has become a recurring nightmare.

by SmilingJPhilsPhan on Sep 5, 2009 1:54 AM EDT reply actions

Seems like the offense shoes up every other month. If that’s the case, I’d rather limp through the next three weeks until we get the good offense back for October.

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Sep 5, 2009 7:56 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

The offence is scarring me that is for sure. I hope he doesn’t have one of those nights in the ployoffs. Come on Phils why when the bases are loaded in the 7th or was it the 8th, anyway why do they feel the need to have to hit home runs that is the problem. Just a base hit gets one home and might lead to a come back that is the real problem.

I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.

by Christopher A on Sep 5, 2009 9:42 AM EDT reply actions