Lee Homers and Throws Eight Shutout Innings

There was a time when Don Mattingly looked like a sure fire hall of famer.  He, along with Wade Boggs, comprised the core of guys with chins that look like butts that struck fear into the hearts of the rest of the AL east.  This was a simpler time.  A time of mustaches and pitchers throwing inside with impunity.  From 1983 to 1987 Mattingly won an RBI title, a batting crown and an MVP.  Back problems severely curtailed his ability to play baseball right before the Yankees got really good and started winning.  Now he is the manager of the Dodgers.  Lucky him.

Mattingly was privy to a pitching clinic as Cliff Lee threw eight innings of shutout baseball while striking out ten Dodgers.  He also hit his second home run of the year and further cemented his place in all of our hearts.  The only time that Clifton experienced any sort of a problem was in the first inning.  Dee Gordon hit a single, stole second and Jamey Carroll attempted a sacrifice but ended up being awarded a single.  Lee proceeded to strike out Andre Ethier and MVP candidate Matt Kemp.  It was pretty much smooth sailing for the rest of the evening.  Lee was denied his sixth shutout of the year as the Dodgers managed to foul off a bunch of pitches running Lee’s pitch count up.  Final line; eight innings, four hits, two walks, ten strikeouts.

The offense managed to score two runs off of opposing pitcher Ted Lilly.  This output really does not warrant too much analysis.  Jimmy Rollins hit an RBI bloop double into right field and Cliff Lee homered.  This one belonged to the pitching staff.  Ryan Madson allowed an RBI single in Casey Blake’s audition to be added as a waiver pick-up after Chase Utley misfired on a sure fire double play.  He struck out Rod Barajas to end the game and pick up his 21st save of the season.

Tomorrow, Vance Worley goes for the Phillies in a mercifully early start time of 3:10.  He will be opposed by Chad Billingsley.  SWEEP!!!!