A sellout crowd, the first since the streak ended, watched as Cliff Lee went for his first win at home of the season. Cliff was dealing through the first few innings, but a downpour of rain and Cardinals offense would slow his rhythm and ruin his chances of that win.
The Phillies were making some smart plays in the first inning. With Domonic Brown on base, Chase Utley past the second baseman, sending Dom to third. Ryan Howard grounded into a fielder's choice which allowed Dom Brown to score. Ryan Howard was safe, but only because Chase Utley slid into second, delaying the possible double-play throw. Without that, there would have been three outs and Dom would not have scored. Beautiful.
Clifton Phifer Lee was straight up dealing through the Cardinals through five innings. It wasn't until the sixth when he got into trouble. John Jay reached on an infield single, followed by a double from Allen Craig. The next batter, Matt Holliday, smashed a home run to right field, giving his team a 3-1 lead.
As ugly as that inning was, the eighth wasn't much better. Cliff allowed three straight singles, the third scoring a run. 4-1 Cardinals, and in came B.J. Rosenberg to get the three outs. Cliff Lee's final line: 7 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 110 pitches, 81 for strikes.
The Phillies managed just four hits off Jake Westbrook who went 7 & 2/3 innings tonight. The only run came in the first inning on that fielder's choice.
Michael Schwimer entered for the top of the ninth. Jon Jay was hit and advanced on a wild pitch, but Schwim retired the side and struck out three, not allowing Jay to score.
In the bottom of the ninth, Jason Motte struck out two and retired the side, holding it down for his team. Phillies drop the second game of this series, 4-1.
Tomorrow's afternoon rubbermatch will be started by Vance Worley for the Phils and Lance Lynn for the Cardinals. 1:35 game.
