Cliff Lee strikes out ten as Philadelphia Phillies outclass New York Mets 3-1 - MLB Update
Starter Cliff Lee throws eight innings as he leads the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-1 win against the New York Mets at Citi Field, New York on September 17, 2012 in the first match of the three game series.
Phillies posted more runs on the scoreboard than Mets despite striking fewer hits on Monday. They managed six hits but scored three runs. On the other hand Mets struck seven hits but scored just one run.
What provided the Phillies an edge in the game was the efficiency with which Lee was retiring batters. Whenever the Mets were in a position to score runs, the strike-outs by Lee never allowed them to convert their hits into a substantial total.
Lee finally attains the level of form which was missing from his part for the most part of the season.
Unlike his reputation, he has been suffering losses on a regular basis since the beginning of the season.
He will be pleased now as he has begun throwing quality innings.
By winning on Monday, he has disallowed the Mets’ starter R.A. Dickey from strengthening his credentials for clinching the Cy Young Award this year.
Lee struck-out 10 and gave up one run in the game. Dickey on the other hand completed seven innings and struck-out eight while leaking three runs.
Offensively Phillies relied on shortstop Jimmy Rollins, second baseman Chase Utley and left fielder Domonic Brown. Rollins and Brown each hammered a home-run in the game.
Mets’ manager Terry Collins grows sympathetic with Dickey as he did not have enough run support on Monday to win.
"You feel for him, because all he's done is given himself a chance to win a baseball game," Terry Collins said. "We'll go back at the end of the year and recount the number of games where he didn't get a decision, or he's allowed us an opportunity to win,
and hopefully it doesn't get back to bite him too bad."
Phillies have achieved a winning percentage which was not expected from them a couple of months ago. They will be looking to keep the momentum going and make sure they end up the season on a high.
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