Phillies Recap: August 19, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies 8, Arizona Diamondbacks 1

Don't let the box score fool you. As good as Cliff Lee's numbers looked, he was even better. The Phils ace shut down yet another National League team while leading the Phillies over the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was his second complete game as a Phillie and his fourth in the last seven starts. Dan Haren was hit around by the Phillies offense and departed early. But the ballgame had long been decided, with the final score of 8-1.

Cliff Lee (11-9) was dominant yet again. He improved to 4-0 as a Phillie and now has an unreal 0.82 ERA in that time. Lee surrendered one unearned run in the game and struck out eleven batters in the complete game effort. Lee carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before pinch-hitter Chad Tracy blooped a single to center field. It turned out to be one of two hits that Lee would allow, as he hit a batter and walked none.

Cy Young hopeful Dan Haren (12-8) was dealt a blow to his award contention as the Phillies teed off on him. Chase Utley got the scoring started with a third inning homer to dead center field. In the fifth inning, the Phillies broke the game open as Ryan Howard crushed an opposite-field homer, before Jayson Werth followed with first of two solo homers on the night. It was a great offense outburst on a night when the ball was flying out of the park. They worked Haren and got him out of the game early. But by then, the game had been decided.

Before this game began, it appeared poised to become a pitcher's duel. In the end, only Cliff Lee lived up to the billing as he was simply sensational all night long. The Phillies improve to 68-49 and continue to play good baseball. Pitching has been the key during their recent 7-1 stretch and they will look for more of the same as they try to sweep out the hapless Diamondbacks tomorrow night.