Philadelphia Phillies lose to Boston Red Sox 1-5 as Cliff Lee struggles – MLB Update
Starter Cliff Lee gives up nine hits and the Philadelphia Phillies are beaten 1-5 by the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 20, 2012 in third match of the three-game series.
The Phillies gave in right at the start. In first three innings, the Red Sox surged to a five run lead.
Any resistance that may have come from the Phillies was discouraged on the sight of such an overwhelming extension. No wonder, the Phillies were able to add just one run after the Red Sox had posted a huge lead.
Lee was a disappointment for the Phillies. While he struck-out six in seven innings, he gave up five runs, including two home-runs.
However the Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel calls the offence as responsible for the loss, which was accorded to Lee at the end of the game.
"I was hoping once (Lee) settled in he started pitching pretty good we could score some runs for him, but we couldn't do it," Manuel said. "We hit some balls hard early but we couldn't get any big hits and drive runs in."
Managing just seven hits in 31 at-bats reeks of a mediocrity of the Phillies’ offence.
Short-stop Jimmy Rollins managed one hit in three at-bats. Right fielder Hunter Pence did try to up the ante, but to no avail. He went 2-for-3 in the game.
Most of the games the Phillies lost with Lee as starter, their offence betrayed and nullified his effort. However as Lee himself admitted, he was equally responsible on Sunday.
"Tonight it was definitely my fault," he said. "I've gotta do a better job of that. I gotta get deeper in the game without giving up so many runs. This one falls on me."
The Phillies’ performance is worsening as the season progresses ahead, much to the exasperation of the fans. A week ago, their offence stepped up in number of games and at some point gave an impression that things will be different now. As it turned out,
this was not to be this time around.
Manager Manuel will hope to see the club start performing at potential and begin a new journey, regardless of what happened on Sunday.
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