Cliff Lee pitched like Cliff Lee, once again. Cody Asche played like he wants to be the starting third baseman for the rest of this season and beyond…well beyond. This, as the Phillies squeaked by the Mets, 2-1, in front of a sparse crowd at Citi Field.
Lee, who had not been in the win column since July 5, pitched eight solid innings, earning his 11th victory of the season. This was the sharpest the ace left-hander has looked since before the All-Star break. The Mets scratched out their only run in the bottom of the second inning. Right fielder Marlon Byrd led off the inning with a routine fly ball to right-center field. But, at twilight time, there is no such thing as a routine fly ball. Phillies’ center fielder Roger Bernadina lost the ball in the early evening sky and Byrd coasted into second base with a lead off double. Left fielder Andrew Brown immediately followed with an RBI single to left field, giving the Mets a gift-wrapped, 1-0 lead.
Asche decided to take matters into his own hands during the top of the fourth inning. With two outs and nobody on base, Michael Young lined a single up the middle. Slugger Darrin Ruf followed with a walk, putting two runners on. Asche, the rookie third baseman, promptly followed with ringing liner into the right-center field gap, off of Mets’ rookie flame thrower Zach Wheeler. Young and Ruf both scored giving the Phillies a 2-1 lead. Asche is showing Phillies’ brass that he belongs in a Major League uniform. He finished 2-3 with a walk and those 2 RBI. Add in his usual stellar defense, hustle and competitiveness – and you have a ballplayer.
Lee made the 2-1 lead stand, retiring 11 consecutive batters until rookie catcher Travis d’Arnaud singled with one out in the eighth inning. Pinch hitter Lucas Duda, followed two batters later with a two-out walk. Just when it looked like Lee was running on fumes, he mustered the energy to strike out center fielder Juan Lagares with the tying and go-ahead runs on base. It would be his 121st and final pitch of the night.
Jonathan Papelbon came into the game to preserve a one-run lead. He pitched a perfect ninth for his 22nd save of the season.
The Phillies are now 7-2 in their last nine games. If this is a sign of things to come, then the future is bright…very bright.
Monday night was the Cliff and Cody show. One can only guess who will take the stage next.
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