Cliff Lee Takes The Mound In Search Of Series Split With Bucs

Yesterday sucked. Plain and simple. In yet another great outing from a starting pitcher ruined by the bullpen, the Phillies fell to the Pirates 5-3 last night in game three. Roy Halladay tossed six innings of one-hit, one-run ball in his third straight solid start. After leaving the game with a 3-1 lead, the bullpen blew the lead and blew the game, allowing four earned runs on six hits. With the Pirates holding the series 2-1 headed into today's finale, Cliff Lee (2-1, 2.83 ERA) will take on James McDonald (2-2, 4.12 ERA) at 1:05 in an effort to split the series.

Cliff Lee is coming off of his worst start of the season on Saturday against St. Louis. Allowing a season-high five earned runs in a season-low five innings of work, Lee walked three and struck out five while taking his first loss of the year. With the three walks, Lee snapped a 20-start streak of pitching at least six innings and walking one or fewer. Lee is looking to rebound from Saturday's start as he takes on the Pirates, a team he has good numbers against. In three career starts, Lee is 1-0 with a 3.05 ERA (7 ER in 20 2/3 IP) against Pittsburgh.

In James McDonald's last outing, a two-hit bid against Atlanta, the righthander allowed an earned run while striking out nine in six innings of work. McDonald walked four as well, losing the quality start, but earning the win. McDonald has been up and down this season, but has had success while gaining run support. McDonald has not faired well against Philadelphia in his career, posting a 1-2 record and a 5.73 ERA (14 ER in 22 IP) in three career starts.

Game Notes:

• Taking a split is just as vital as winning a series. 
• Brandon Inge is 16-for-43 (.372) with three home runs and eight RBIs against Lee, while all other Pirates combined are 11-for-63 (.175) with one homer and eight RBIs.
• Ben Revere is not in today's lineup.

Phillies lineup:

1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Kevin Frandsen 3B
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Laynce Nix RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Ezequial Carrera CF
8. Erik Kratz C
9. Cliff Lee P.

Pirates lineup:

1. Starling Marte LF
2. Brandon Inge 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen CF
4. Gaby Sanchez 1B
5. Michael McKenry C
6. Pedro Alvarez 3B
7. Jose Tabata RF
8. Clint Barmes SS
9. James McDonald P.

First Pitch Forecast: Sunny – 60° – 0% PoP.

TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

Go Fightins!

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.