Lee, Phillies Back on Track with Win over Nationals

Posted by Brian Michael, Tue, September 15, 2009 11:55 PM

Finally, a game where we can use the back of our seat instead of hanging off the edge. Cliff Lee returned to form with a masterful 124-pitch complete game shutout; and the Phillies drove in runs when they needed.

Lee’s complete game included nine strikeouts, six hits and three walks which helped to drop his ERA back below two (2.67). His command was on point as he got ahead of the Nationals batters early and often. The only trouble Lee ran into came in the fourth inning when he walked the bases loaded – his first walk in 39 innings. He promptly struck out Josh Bard to escape unscathed and keep the Phillies pitchers’ scoreless streak intact.

At the plate, Lee’s two strikeouts dropped his average to .259, but that was inconsequential as the rest of the Phillies maintained the offensive production. The hitting began in the bottom of the first inning (after Lee struck out the side) when the Phillies sparkplug, Jimmy Rollins reached base with a double and Chase Utley drove him in with a single. Then in the fourth, Ibanez, Werth and Feliz set the table for Carlos Ruiz with a double, single and walk respectively. Chooch came through with the runners in scoring position by delivering a bases-clearing double. JRoll singled later in the inning to rescue Carlos from the basepath and post the Phillies fifth and final run.

From there Cliff Lee cruised to the ninth and even got a little help from the Nationals as their youth and inexperience were on display after a few baserunning blunders. To their credit, Washington did manage two web gems in the field – both robbing Carlos Ruiz of hits.

The Phillies maintain a seven-game lead over the Marlins with 19 to play.

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31 Responses to “Lee, Phillies Back on Track with Win over Nationals”

j reed Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Lee pitched against a team that if it pitched, fielded and ran the bases as well as it hits, they’d probably only be under 10 games out of first. Nice to see chooch continue to swing the bat well, riding on that amazing put out of Daniel Murphy’s ill advised attempt to steal 3rd.

Okay, Lee at the plate has been a pleasant suprise….my only hope before his first AB as a phillie was that he didn’t take a “i play in the DH league” swing that make AL team’s dugouts laugh during interleague play. He get a double…he also has an rbi…but he has to learn to do what NL pitchers do better than almost everyone else but for a handful of lead-off guys and ultility players, that is bunt. Plus, though a trend up until last year, his history of 2nd half struggles when put in the context of the increased load he’s pitched and the new physiological stresses of batting (both in game and practice) since joining the team, leads me to believe he should bunt more not just for run manufacturing but it poses less risk except to fingers than a normal AB during which other than getting hit by a pitch, injuries to big primary movers: shoulders, hip flexors and pelvic/abdominal muscles are much more likely to occur. Right now the injury bug is hurting us…i don’t think we should take unnecessary risks unless it special like Lee’s CG shut out or what Pedro did Sunday. I think pedro’s performance really gave the team the taste for post season play and revitalized the team’s mindset. Lee’s CG shut out continued where Old Goat Deux left off
j reed Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 2:35 am
That should be,
“Lee threw well against a team that if it pitched….”
Padilla Flutilla Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 4:01 am
Haha… Cooch… lolz
george55 Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 6:10 am
that’s the way to do it, phils!! shut-em down and score enough runs so you don’t have to bring in a closer. It was great NOT seeing Lidge out there sniffing around the mound trying to lay a doggy diamond on it. Anything past 3 runs, no closer credit, unless Manuel can’t get a complete game and then he should bring in Chan Ho or Moyer.
My Cooler Does Suck Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 7:24 am
C. Lee…… man I love it. This team is fun to watch.
Brooks Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 7:29 am
So is Chahlie keeping the starting pitching in longer than usual. Not necessarily bad. Lee with a CG, 124 pitches (W). Martinez pitched 8 innings, 130 pithces (W) and Kendrick tossed 7.1 innings, 106 pitches – (W, barely).
It’s not that I don’t agree with letting the starters throw more but, are they able to handle it? There seems to be so much emphasis on pitch count, focusing on the “quality starts” then allowing your pen to take over and uh, turn the “Lights Out” (?)
If this had been a pattern followed by Chahlie (the Phillies) for a while, it would mean nothing but I sense a subtle change in plans here. Perhaps I’m wrong and just digging but it sure seems like it.
If the Phils were behind in any of these games there probably would have been a call to the pen with appearances by our vaunted bench in key situations (sic).
Chahlie, keep up the good work.
Ed R. Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Brooks you bring up an interesting point and when I briefly touched on last week. I definitely feel like Charlie is leaving the starters in because of his lack of faith in the bullpen. That is just a feeling and obviously something I can not actually back up. But that is how I feel and it is how it looks.

That being said, I don’t know how I actually feel about it. Though I am all about winning games now and wrapping up the division and I think allowing your starters to go longer gives us the best chance right now. I am also very aware of the possibility of over use and what that might do to a pitcher come the playoffs. You saw it last year with C.C Sabathia. Now granted, the Phillies will not ever have to ask one of their starters to constantly pitch on 3 days rest but the possibility of over use is still there.

I also would love to see the bullpen get straightened out. Hopefully now that Condrey is back we can start to see guys settle in a little bit more. I am thinking and hoping that if we wrap up the division in the next two weeks or so, maybe we can use the last week of the season to limit the starters a little bit and allow the bullpen to pitch a little bit. Not saying I want to tire out the pen or anything but let guys like KK throw 3-4 innings one night, let Moyer do the same, use Durbin for two innings, maybe do the same with Myers. Though maybe not as he might actually make the post season roster but the three guys I mentioned previously, probably shouldn’t be on the post season roster.
George Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Lee and Martinez have been capable in the past of throwing over 100 pitches. Pedro, in particular, has had a short season, and therefore, probably has more left in the tank. In the case of Kendrick, or any other starter, 106 has been about the norm if he’s been throwing well. Looking back over the season, most the Phils starters, with the exception of Moyer, have had fairly large pitch counts, unless a pinch hitter was absolutely needed. Hamels, Happ, Blanton, and Lee have all pitched over 110 more than once, and all have been allowed leeway when pitching well, even in very close games. I don’t see that Manuel has been managing any differently than usual, it’s only that the starters have been very good lately. In fact, in Moyer’s most recent start, there were many on this site who complained that he should have pitched longer. Other times, though, there have been complaints that Manuel leaves his pitchers in one batter too long, so I don’t think he’s changed his thinking at all.

As to the other person’s comment about Lee bunting, he mentioned the only risk with bunting is to the hands, whereas actually swinging risks other muscles. That may be true while actually at the plate. But I think breaking one’s hand wouldn’t be particularly good for a pitcher, and there would still be the usual risk of injuring major muscle groups when running to first after “laying one down.”
David K Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 8:41 am
I was at the game last night and it was entertaining, at least for the first few innings. I have to remark, however, that I find it difficult to agree with leaving your new ace in the game for that many pitches towards the end of the season. All we need as a ballclub is for our hot young pitcher to blow out his arm. Also, I saw the bottom of the 8th inning as a chance to use somebody off of the bench (maybe give stairs a shot?) Anyway, it’s a win and I’ll take it. If only those cardinals could hold on to leads….
cas Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 9:31 am
We might be grateful for the Cardinals not holding on to leads in a month or so! I don’t think pitch count matters at all. It’s just the latest fad in baseball. Pitchers used to routinely go deeper into games than they do now and the specialization of the bullpens has gotten ludicrous. It doesn’t matter if you’re a “set up man”, a “closer”, or “a middle innings guy”, the goal is the same: Get the other team’s batters out!!! Plain and simple. Your body, if you’re a trained, fit athlete, will do what you demand of it. If you continually stop it at 100 pitches, eventually that’s all it will be able to do.
Morris Buttermaker Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 9:35 am
I totally agree with leaving the starters in for longer. The sooner the Phillies clinch the division the better. It will allow for the whole team to rest up including the starters. And the bullpen still needs some rest right now. The more rest the better.

Also, it looks like the Phillies will probably clinch next week on the road, most likely in Florida or Milwaukee. Doing it away from home and not having the big celebration will be the best for them. Keep up with the business like approach of last season’s playoff run.
bob Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 9:51 am
@Morris

I was there for last season’s division clincher. While we all went nuts and the players had a celebration, it was not the wild scene of 2007’s clincher. There was a look to the players that they was more to be done.

I don’t think it matters where they clinch home or road. They will have their celebration, because they will have earned it. Winning that many baseball games over the course of playing 6 straight months of baseball is no easy task. They deserve their moment to kick back and savor it for a while. You are never guaranteed to do that again.

Hopefully they get it done as soon as possible. We’ll know alot more after this weekend set with Atlanta.
joedad Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 10:28 am
cas – I think “closer” “set-up guy” and “middle relief / mop up guys” are defined for a reason. The end of games are more intense and pressure packed than earlier innings so you want battle tested guys out there in the 8th and 9th. Middle relief guys can get you through a game that you are way in fron or way behind and save your better relievers for another game. LOOGY’s specialize in getting tough lefties out. One of the advantages the Phils had last year was that the back end of the bullpen had 2 setup guys, Madson and Romero. Each could be used earlier in the game to get out of a jam while the other could set up.
Chuck Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Over the course of the past year or so Carlos Ruiz has become one of my favorite players. Great job by Chooch last night on many fronts. He called a great game and having him as Lee’s battery mate is extremely important going into the playoffs because his bat will be needed. He has been pretty hot with the bat as well and that play to back up Utley’s wild throw and then pegging the runner at second was great to see.
Brooks Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 10:49 am
George, are you saying you have not noticed a difference? Have you ever seen Chahlie make a visit to the pitchers mound without making a change? I sure haven’t.. especially a close game, later in the game.
Chahlie always paid (way) too close attention to pitch counts in the past.
The Phils are going to win this division, I think we all agree on that. How Chahlie manages the bull pen is another story that I think is still developing. Go getem’ Chahlie!
Chuck, I agree with you. Never was too much of a Chooch fan (especially after the dismal offensive year he had last year, he was almost a guarenteed out at the plate) but this year, even though not hitting a ton he has contributed offensively and his presence behind the plate is indisputable.
Stuart Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I wouldve liked to see Lee come out in the 8th instead of batting. When he was up shouldve pinched hit for him, give a bench bat some extra ABs. And then gave Lidge or Madson or Myers a confidence booster in the 9th to close (unless they blow a 5 or more run lead) that also wouldve rested Lee’s arm which I think after all those long outings he then had a stretch of 3 bad games maybe because he was exhausted. give the guy a break before the post season. We want him ready for then.
Don M Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:10 am
You don’t take ACE’s out of games in the 8th when they have a chance at a complete game shutout .. you just don’t

It’s a pride thing.. it’s a confidence thing..

One extra at-bat for a bench player doesn’t mean anything compared to seeing Lee get his “swagger” back from throwing a shut-out .. and if our starters can’t throw 124 pitches and respond 5 days later.. then we’re in trouble come the postseason anyway
Philly Texan Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Don’t forget that Monday was an off day, so all the starters had an extra day of rest this week.

That probably explains the high pitch counts — that and the shaky bullpen.

With the extra rest day, they were probably willing to leave the starters in for an inning longer.
GreysFan Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Re this whole issue of specialization among relievers—I admit to being an old school guy who thinks starters can pitch longer and relievers should be able to be professionals and respond to whatever situation they need to, but I am particularly perplexed by what I see as an essential contradiction in the current definition of a closer. Supposedly, these are the guys who can handle the pressure of the ninth inning, but at the same time, they rarely come into a game with men on base and the game hanging on a single pitch. Taking the mound in the eighth inning of a one run game with a couple guys in scoring position and only one out would certainly seem to be a more pressure situation than starting the ninth, but closers, the guys who can handle pressure, rarely do that. I know. We can’t ask them to get more than three outs in a game, yada yada yada. The great relievers used to thrive on such situations and, although having someone who can be relied on to really put the fire out would seem to be a very valuable commodity—more valuable than a ninth inning specialist, nobody seems to have this job anymore. I don’t get it.
bob Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Listen Cliff Lee is our horse. He is expected and can go anywhere from 110-130 pitches an outing.

It seemed like the extra days rest did wonders for him and will the rest of the staff.
Manny Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:29 am
CHOOCH is hitting .378 in September, with a 1.061 OPS!!!!

Are people aware of this? Viva Chooooooooch!
David K Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Brooks,
Were you present for Martinez’s last outing? Charlie DID visit the mound and he left Pedro in. I do agree though that generally a mound visit means a pitching change.
Chuck Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Cliff Lee is such a throwback kind of pitcher. He goes deep into games because he expects himself to. In the ninth he was still throwing 92 mph. And….he’s a GOOD batter. The at bat in the 8th inning was awesome…even if he did strike out. He could just as easily poked a hit into the outfield. I love the guy.
The Original Chuck P Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Lovin it… 7 up.

If we can clinch this thing early, we can afford to be careful down the stretch… I think that’s what Charlie’s trying to do. Get this thing wrapped up and then set up the rotation for the postseason… 6 inning starts, bullpen work, extra days off.

Bob, I was there for the division clinching games in each of the past two seasons… you hit the nail right on the head.
Brooks Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
DK – yep, there for both games.
And frankly I have never seen Chahlie visit the mound without making a change. All of us in our section were surprised and pleased when Chahlie left Pedro in.

Regarding the BP – if/when the starters start to show some form of weariness, then you make the change. The exception of course being if there is a run scoring opportunity (man on second or third) in a close game and the Phils desperately need some runs. But the same holds true for the reliever. If he allows 2 men on base, no outs or even 1 out, pull the plug – do not hesitate.

Orignal Chuck P – me too (last game of 07, second to last game, clinchers). I really don’t care where the division is clinched, the Phils will get a warm reception regardless.
The sooner the better!
Brooks Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Last night Patty had 4 rbi and a hr. I was thinking that perhaps he was saving his best for the EOY but, he is actually hitting .163 for the money month of September with 2 hrs and 2 runs scored.
The Original Chuck P Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
He hit a grand slam… and the Rays lost. Sinking ship in TB… it looks like we made the right move, eh?
Jeff Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Besides not having a closer worries me. I also get worried with Howard. Yes he put up big numbers but he is so streaky. He will go a month hitting homers and driving in runs. Then you dont hear from him again for a while. Thats why I love Albert. He very rarely does not hit and always comes through. I know its not fair to compare but he is light years ahead of Howard as a player.
Chuck Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Jeff…root for the Cards then. We don’t need your negativity.

As far as clinching the division at home or on the road…..I COULD CARE LESS…..and I think the team could care less as well. It’s gonna be special time in the season for them but they are not going to celebrate wildly…..just like last year…… business as usual.
The Original Chuck P Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
It’s unfair to compare anyone with Pujols, Jeff… he’s one of the greatest of all time but that doesn’t mean our first baseman isn’t a special player; it’s like comparing Babe Ruth to Dave Winfield (my favorite player of all time). Winfield was a phenomenal baseball player and did everything that you could have ever expected from him but Ruth transcends everything. Pujols is that type of player…

Howard has certainly exceeded all expectations in his short career; yes, he can be very streaky but when he’s on, there is no one better at driving in runs. He’s a run producer and, thankfully, when he’s in a slump (which MOST players go through), we have the guys around him that can carry us. That’s why this team is special… we can beat other teams so many different ways.
Jeff Says:
September 16th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I do like Howard but when he comes up in a big spot I know a strike out is coming. Yes he will hit the solo shots. When Albert comes up I know something big will always happen. I guess we just have to live with not hitting the ball for a month after a month of homers.

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