Former MCC pitcher improves to 4-0 in postseason, wins Game 5 of World Series

Lee wins a cliff-hanger- Ace not as dominant, but keeps Phillies alive

By Peter Abraham, Boston Globe Staff | November 3, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Cliff Lee could not wait to pitch Game 5 of the World Series last night, if only because he could stop answering questions about why he didn’t start Game 4.

When Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel decided not to rush Lee back into the World Series on three days’ rest, it triggered a debate over how best to use the lefthander against the Yankees.

That the Phillies lost Game 4 only intensified the talk.

With his team facing elimination, Lee helped extend the season by pitching effectively into the eighth inning as the Phillies beat the Yankees, 8-6.

Lee was not as sharp as he was in Game 1 when he held the Yankees to one unearned run on six hits, striking out 10 without a walk.

But he was as good as the Phillies needed him to be. On a night when the Philadelphia offense, that is to say Chase Utley and his two home runs, hammered Yankee pitching for eight runs, Lee did his job well enough by allowing five runs on seven hits.

“Anytime as a starting pitcher you give your team a chance to win the game, you have to feel good about it,’’ Lee said. “It was a group effort and we’re still fighting. My command was a little off. It was a game where I had to battle more than I’ve had to in the last few games and we had to score a few more runs.’’

Lee joined Hall of Famer Steve Carlton as the only Phillies to win two games in one World Series. He is 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five postseason starts.

“He did it again, he keeps winning for us,’’ catcher Carlos Ruiz said. “He gave the team enough. The only thing we had to do was win that game and we did.’’

The most important inning for Lee was the first as he limited what could have been significant damage by the Yankees.

After an RBI double by Alex Rodriguez with two outs, Lee walked Nick Swisher. But he got Robinson Cano to fly to left field. Lee did not allow another hit until the fifth inning, when the Yankees scored their second run. By then, the Phillies had a 6-1 lead.

“I felt we put some better at-bats on [Lee] tonight,’’ Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “We hit some balls hard . . . I didn’t think he was as sharp as he didn’t throw as many strikes. He wasn’t ahead in the count as much as he was at our place.’’

Lee started the eighth inning with an 8-2 lead but appeared to tire as Johnny Damon led off with a single before doubles by Mark Teixeira and Rodriguez gave the Yankees two more runs. A sacrifice fly by Cano off reliever Chan Ho Park trimmed the lead to 8-5.

“Was I thinking about taking him out? Somewhat,’’ said Manuel, who has little faith in his bullpen. “But I wasn’t ready to take him out. I definitely wanted him to go back out there.’’

Lee threw 112 pitches. The question he will get now is whether he would be able to pitch in relief if the series reaches Game 7 Thursday. Lee would go into that game having had two days’ rest.

“As far as my availability, I’m available,’’ Lee said. “I think I’ll be fine. You’d have to talk to Charlie about what his plans are, but I’ll pitch whenever they want me to pitch. I don’t really get that sore.’’
Manuel is hoping for some assistance from the weather.

“Got an off day [today], maybe it’ll rain the next day. I can get him in on three days’ rest like you guys are talking about,’’ he said. “I’ll talk to him about what he thinks about it, if he can pitch at all.’’