Brother-Lee Love

As seen on Phillies Nation.

On Brad Lidge Bobble Head Night, it wasn't Lidge who finished the game. All 45,356 rose to their feet anticipating the final out of Cliff Lee's complete game. With the Phillies 8-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Lee has won seven consecutive games.

With Lee and Dan Haren on the mound, the game was expected to be a pitchers' duel. Lee did his part, but the Phillies rocked Haren. Normally, the Diamondbacks play shaky defense, but all six runs that Haren allowed were earned.

After a couple missed opportunities in the first two innings, the Phillies got on the board in the third on Chase Utley's two-run home run. With the homer, the Phillies now have four players with at least 25 home runs: Howard (31), Werth (27), Ibanez (27), and Utley (25).

In the fourth inning, the Diamondbacks manufactured a run without a hit. Ryan Roberts grounded to Pedro Feliz, but the ball went under his glove for a two-base error. Roberts moved to third on a grounder to the right side of the infield, and Stephen Drew's sacrifice fly put the D-backs on the board. The perfect game and shutout ended, but Lee still had the no-hitter working.

For the second time in four starts, Lee took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Chad Tracy broke up the no-hit bid on a line drive up the middle.

The Indians did not provide Lee with much run support, but he received plenty tonight. Ryan Howard's opposite field, three-run homer gave the Phillies a 5-1 lead. Before the Liberty Bell could stop ringing and the fans could sit down, Jayson Werth took the first pitch deep off the ivy in center field. Werth homered again in the seventh inning.

As he stepped into the batter's box in the eighth, fans knew that Lee would be attempting the complete game. After a big hack on the first pitch, Lee dribbled a hit down the third base line. Mark Reynolds hoped it would roll foul, but Lee hustled out the single. It was his second hit of the night; the same amount of hits he allowed.

Lee struck out 11 batters, tying a career high. He improved to 4-0 and lowered his ERA to 0.82 with the Phillies. His complete game is his second with the Phillies, and fifth of the season. The only run he allowed was unearned, and he did not walk a batter. Lee has gone at least seven innings in each and every of his starts with the Phillies. A tremendous addition to the Phillies, Lee is quickly becoming a fan favorite, and deservedly so.

Game 2 Has the Making of a Pitchers' Duel

For full gameday, visit Phillies Nation.

Arizona Diamondbacks (54-66) at Philadelphia Phillies (67-49).
Dan Haren (12-7, 2.50 ERA) starts vs. Cliff Lee (10-9, 2.86 ERA).

In game two of the series, two of the top pitchers in the game will go head to head: Daniel John Haren and Clifton PhiferLee. Even though the humidity carries the ball at Citizen's Bank Park, expect a pitchers' duel.

Since joining the Phillies, Lee is a perfect 3-0 with a 1.13 earned run average and 0.92 WHIP. Against the Phillies this season, Haren pitched five innings and gave up three runs (two earned). The Diamonbacks' defense was unable to back Haren. If the defense continues to be sloppy, the Phillies have a great shot to win their third consecutive game.

Lee will pitch in front of a sold out crowd on Brad Lidge Bobble Head Night. After being a perfect 48-for-48 in save opportunities in 2008 (including the postseason), Lidge has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball this season. He has blown eight saves and his ERA is 7.21. As long as he doesn't blow a save tonight, everybody will go home happy. With the way Lee has been pitching, the Phillies may not even need to use the bullpen.

Tonight's lineup: Rollins (SS)/ Victorino (CF)/ Utley (2B)/ Howard (1B)/ Werth (RF)/ Ibanez (LF)/ Feliz (3B)/ Bako (C)/Lee (P).

Call of the Day: Mike Lieberthal's homer wins it for the Phils at the Vet.

"Long drive! Could it be? It is a game winning pinch hit home run,
Mike Lieberthal! Can you believe it? The Phillies have come back to
win, 8 to 7! What a stunning defeat for Pittsburgh! What an
accelerating win for the Phightin' Phils, who have come back to score seven runs
in the ninth inning and win 8-7 on a pinch hit home run by Mike
Lieberthal! I can not believe it!"

Hamels Outpitches Haren

Also seen on Phillies Nation.

It's amazing Dan Haren has allowed only four unearned runs during the entire season with the defense he is backed with. The Diamondbacks continue to make poor defensive plays and the Phillies took full advantage.

In the first inning, Cole Hamels allowed a solo home run to the second batter of the game, Ryan Roberts. It looked to be a long night for the Phillies, who trailed 1-0 against arguably the best pitcher in baseball this season.

In the third inning, Shane Victorino said aloha to Haren's fastball up in the zone. The homer tied the game at one, and Victorino was far from finished.

With one out in the fifth, Hamels doubled to start a rally. Jimmy Rollins reached base on Stephen Drew's error, and Hamels headed to third. The Phillies were in perfect position to take a lead. They did so on Victorino's ground-rule double.

Jimmy Rollins scored on a fielder's choice and a throwing error. Chase Utley grounded to first, and Rollins was a dead duck at the plate. However, Utley made a terrific move, running in the throwing lane, but without interference. It worked, because Chad Tracy airmailed the throw, and the Phillies took a 3-1 lead.

It was thought that the Phillies would have trouble against Haren, but the Phillies were able to knock out Haren after five innings.

Hamels looked like one of the league's finest tonight, returning to 2008 postseason form. He wiggled out of a couple jams, but overall was brilliant. He pitched eight innings, allowing one run on four hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out nine. It's been a while since Hamels has been able to tally up the strikeouts, but he did today against the Diamondbacks.

Jayson Werth's RBI grounded out in the seventh gave the Phillies a 4-1 lead, and they needed every bit of it with Brad Lidge coming in for the save. Lidge gave up a two-run home run to Mark Reynolds, but sweat through the save.

The 4-3 win give the Phillies four wins in a row, and the series against the Diamondbacks. Tomorrow, they'll go for their fourth sweep in July.

Haren on Hill for Dbacks

For full gameday, visit Phillies Nation.

Philadelphia Phillies (57-40) at Arizona Diamondbacks (43-57)
Cole Hamels (6-5, 4.66 ERA) vs. Dan Haren (10-5, 2.14 ERA)

The Phillies have yet to face anything close to what they're about to see tonight. Dan Haren is on his way to winning the National League Cy Young award, and is arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball for the 2009 season.

Haren is 10-5 with a 2.14 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and opponents are batting .194 against him. He has 141 strikeouts in 143 innings (8.87 K/9). However, he has allowed 13 home runs and he gave up four earned runs in his last start, which was against the Pirates. Only twice has he allowed more than three home runs in a game this year.

It is not going to be a fun night for the Phillies bats, but if they can manage two or three runs, the Phillies have a chance to win if Cole Hamels can pitch the way he is capable of. He has a 2.13 ERA in two career starts against Arizona. After the All Star break, Hamels is 17-9 with a 3.05 ERA.