Amazing Lee Dazzling in World Series Game 1

It was a total domination by Cliff Lee against the New York Yankees in World Series Game 1. The left handed pitcher, who was traded from the Indians in July, pitched in a complete game with 80 strikes and 42 balls on Wednesday night.

Lee, who was a former Cleveland Indian teammate and a close friend of Game 1 opponent CC Sabathia, struck out two batters in the first and another two in the second inning. He allowed an RBI, with extra base hit, for Derek Jeter in the third inning.

But in the fourth inning Cliff Lee did nothing but strike out all batters in the box: Teixeira, A-Rod, and Posada. All three struck out at least twice. A-Rod was struck out thrice.

The Yankees scored in the bottom of the ninth, but it was on throwing error of shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Lee allowed 6 hits, no walk, and 10 strike outs.

Besides the ten strikeouts and no runs, two of Lee's impressive performances include a waiting-in-the-mound catch for Johnny Damon's pop-up in the sixth inning and the behind-the-back catch when Robinson Cano hit the second pitch in the eight inning.

A big smile painted on the pitcher's face and a shrug showed how much fun it was for him to start the bottom of the eight.

The 2008 Cy Young awardee started his game with a strikeout and ended it with another strikeout. Both strikeouts were to World Series veterans Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada.

Cliff Lee did not just secure the game for the Phillies, along with Chase Utley's back to back home runs, he also saved their bullpen. He now holds 3 starts with 3-0 wins in his 2009 post-season resume.
The defending champions beat the Bronx Bombers on 6-1 and now have a 1-0 lead in the 2009 World Series.



Also posted in Bleacher Report.