After dropping the first leg of today's day-night double header against the Washington Nationals, the Phillies will turn to Cliff Lee this evening to hopefully secure the club's 99th victory of the season (7:05 p.m. / CSN).
To be honest, we've sort of run out of superlatives to describe Phifer's 2011 season. So, uh, we're just going to hit you with some stats. Okay? Okay!
--Cliff's 2011 Record: 16-7. ERA: 2.38. WHIP: 1.02.
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--The Phillies have not lost a Cliff Lee start since July 25th. He has not lost a decision since that date. He has won seven of those nine starts.
--In his three starts in the month of September, Lee is 1-0 with .072 ERA and WHIP.
With all that in mind, it might surprise you to know that Cliff's numbers against the Nationals aren't quite as stellar. In his two starts against Washington this year, Cliff is 1-1 with a 3.77 ERA. He's surrendered 6 earned on 10 hits in 14.1 IP.
Isn't it nice to be able to complain about that?
News
Standing opposed for the Nationals, Ross Detwiler enters tonight's game 2-5 with 3.76 ERA in 13 starts. He sports a 0-3 and 6.00 ERA in 5 career appearances versus Philadelphia.
In a brief injury update, Hunter Pence apparently offered a "thumbs-up" to reporters earlier this afternoon, indicating that he is okay after taking an awkward step on the first base bag and limping for much of his six innings played. Though he was expected to start both games of the double header earlier today, his name is now conspicuously absent from the evening lineup. No word on whether the injury is worse than originally thought or if Manuel is simply granting the right fielder some well-deserved rest.
Charlie's 9/20 Game 2 lineup:
Rollins SS, Polanco 3B, Victorino CF, Utley 2B, Mayberry 1B, Ibanez LF, Francisco RF, Ruiz C, Lee P
And for the Nats:
Desmond SS, Werth CF, Zimmerman 3B, Morse LF, Gomes RF, Espinosa 2B, Marrero 1B, Ramos C, Detwiler P
See you post-game.