Yeah, I think Cliff Lee is all better.
Lee handcuffed the Rangers for seven innings last night, allowing only three hits, not walking anyone and striking out eight. He threw 98 pitches, 73 of which were strikes. He was up around 93 m.p.h. with his fastball. It was like the guy from Game 1 of last year’s World Series in a different uniform. When he departed Mark Lowe and David Aardsma each threw a shutout inning of their own.
That was the good news for Seattle. The bad news: Colby Lewis was even better. The Rangers starter went nine, shutting out the Mariners in regulation and striking out 10, and keeping it 0-0 after nine. It was one of the tougher no-decisions of the season. Elvis Andrus scored from third on a wild pitch by Brandon League in the top of the 12th inning and Julio Borbon hit an RBI groundout to make it 2-0, and thus Cliff Lee’s night was spoiled.
But it’s just one loss, and having Cliff Lee back at 100% makes it a bit easier to stomach.