Lee Has Worst Start Since Joining Phillies

As seen on Phillies Nation.

It turns out that Cliff Lee is human after all. Since joining the Phillies, Lee has dominated by going deep into games and not allowing any more than two runs in each start. When he is handed the ball, a win is expected as he fills fans with confidence. Saturday was a different story.

The start of the game was delayed about 25 minutes due to rain. Once the game got underway, Chase Utley smacked his 28th home run of the year to put the Phillies on the board.

Entering the game, Lee hadn't allowed a home run as a Phillie. His ERA was a minuscule 0.68. Those numbers quickly changed. Garrett Anderson's three-run home run in the fourth inning put the Braves ahead. It was the first home run Lee allowed since July 21. Matt Diaz and Yunel Escobar also homered, adding to the lead. It was the first time since 2007 that Lee gave up multiple home runs in a game, let alone three.

In his shortest outing as a Phillie, Lee was finished after five innings. All six runs he allowed were earned. He gave up ten hits and struck out five. His ERA dramatically increased to 1.80 with Philadelphia, and 2.83 on the season.

If it was any indication, Lee gave up an unusual lead-off single to Diaz to open the game. Lee gets into trouble when he surrenders too many hits; that was the case tonight. The Braves did an excellent job of slowing down the quick worker by stepping out of the box and taking pitches.

Other than Utley's homer, the Phillies offense was silenced by Lowe. Improving to 6-1 lifetime against the Phillies, the sinker-baller continues to have success against them. As a home run hitting team, the offense generally does not have success against most sinker ball pitchers.

The offense had many chances, but went 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position. In addition, they left 12 men on base. Even when they were trailing 9-1, they had a perfect opportunity with the bases loaded any nobody out. Whatever the case may be, this team can not produce runs when runners are past first base. They're heavily relying on the long ball.

The Braves added a few more runs off the bullpen, but the rain came down in buckets during the eighth inning to force another delay. As a swimming pool formed in the outfield, the decision was finally made to call the game. The 9-1 loss puts the Braves seven games behind the Phillies in the National League East.

Pitchers' Duel Expected

Phillies Nation has the full gameday!

Atlanta Braves (67-61) at Philadelphia Phillies (74-52)
Derek Lowe (12-8, 4.48 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (12-9, 2.63 ERA)

Don't be surprised if a pitcher's duel breaks out tonight. With Derek Lowe and Cliff Lee on the mound, it's probably going to be a low scoring game.

Lee will be aiming for his sixth win in as many starts with the Phillies. Since joining the Phillies, he is a perfect 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA. In 40 innings, he has struck out 39, walked six and hasn't allowed a home run. So far it has been guaranteed as to the type of start Lee will provide: go deep into the game and dominate.

In two starts against the Phillies this season, Lowe is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings, including an eight inning shutout on Opening Night. Lowe has been streaky this season. He had a 6.13 ERA in an eight start stretch, followed by a 5-0, 2.91 ERA seven game run. Currently, he his in a cold spell allowing 20 hits in his last 8.2 innings.

For a change, the Phillies would like to get to Lowe. Lowe is 5-1 with a 2.64 ERA in his career against the Phillies. The offense is struggling and relying on the long ball, so it may not be easy for them to get to Lowe, a ground ball pitcher. But it isn't going to be easy for the Braves to get to Lee either.

Opening Day Loss: A Phillies Tradition

The Phillies lost to the Atlanta Braves 4-1, the fourth year in a row they lost Opening Day.

Festivities took place before the game including player introductions and the raising of the 2008 World Championship banner. But the Phillies that played in Sunday's game didn't look like the same team that beat the Tampa Bay Rays last October.

Brett Myers allowed 4 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings of work. He wasn't able to establish his fastball or changeup early, and in result threw 3 home runs to Brian McCann, Jeff Franceour (who is developing a new batting stance), and Jordan, or Logan as refered to by Jon Miller, Schafer (first home run in first major league at-bat to become the 99th player in MLB history). (Thank you Joe Morgan and Miller for the repetition).

Fingers will be pointed at Myers for the loss, but he didn't pitch as bad as the line may seem. After the first two innings, he threw four scoreless innings. Because his changeup and fastball were ineffective, he wasn't able to throw his deadly curveball as much, which was the only pitch working for him Sunday night.

Myers made the batters hit their way on; he allowed just one walk and struck out 6.

The real story was the offense, which was shut down by Derek Lowe for eight innings. The Phillies managed just two hits off Lowe in his eight shut out innings, who was able to get Phillies out via ground balls.

Mike Gonzalez made it interesting in the ninth inning when Eric Brunlett had a pinch hit double to leadoff the inning. He scored to make it a 4-1 game, and eventually the tying run, Ryan Howard, was at the plate with two men on base and one out. However, Howard struck out, as did Raul Ibanez to end the game.

Losing on opening day shouldn't be a shock. The Phillies are 60-65-2 on Opening Day. They won't be undefeated, but they can stil go 161-1.

PHOTO COURTESY: Phillies.com

Lowe Signs with Braves

Chipper Jones wasn't a happy camper when the Braves didn't do anything about "Smoltzy", letting him sign with the Boston Red Sox. Despite the loss of John Smoltz, Chipper has cooled down a little bit now that the Braves signed Derek Lowe.

Weeks after turning down an offer from the New York Mets, Lowe signed with their division rivals, the Atlanta Braves. The deal is 4 years worth $60 million.

Lowe, 35, spent the last 4 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last season, Lowe was 14-11 with a 3.24 ERA. Lowe also spent time with the Boston Red Sox, where he won a World Series.

In his career, Lowe, a ground ball pitcher, is 126-107 with a 3.75 ERA and a.27 WHIP. In the postseason, Lowe is 5-5 with a 3.33 ERA in 21 games.

Angels Sign Fuentes; Other Updates

The Los Angeles Angels agreed to a 2 year, $17.5 million deal with reliever Brian Fuentes. In 67 games, the lefty had an ERA of 2.73.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Chicago Cubs traded infielder Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for 3 Minor Leaguers. The Cubs also acquired infielder Aaron Miles. DeRosa batted .285 with the Cubs in 2008.

The Cubs could also deal Jason Marquis in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino. The Cubs could also be close to getting Milton Bradley.

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed right hander Claudio Vargas to a one year deal. Manny Ramirez agent has contacted the Dodgers

The New York Mets have extended their offer to 3 years with Derek Lowe worth a total of $36 million. In his career, Lowe has a career ERA of 3.75.