Coming off of their first Grapefruit League victory, the Phillies tried to keep the momentum going but ultimately come up short against the Astros.
Cliff Lee, pitched for the first time since his elbow injury in late July and it’s like he never left. Lee threw 22 pitches, 16 of which were strikes as he faced seven batters. He allowed just two hits which is not too shabby for a first inning in more than seven months.
Lee expects to make his next appearance on Tuesday at Bright House Field to face the Tigers.
“I don’t even know how many pitches I threw, but I think it was fine,” Lee said in an interview. If the pitcher is losing count of how many balls hes thrown, it’s usually a sign he’s back in the swing of things!
The teams were tied at 1-1 early on and that’s the closest the Phils would get. The Astros then broke the tie with a long run of long balls.Valburna kicked things in the bottom of the 4th to put Houston up 2-1. Then in the bottom of the 5th it was both Grossman and Gonzalez taking Aumont over the rightfield wall, moving the lead out to 4-1. A lead which was to remain intact for the remainder of the game.
Despite the loss, Phillies fans can definitely hold their heads high. Cliff Lee is back, and looking to be in fine form.
