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 Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee gave up five runs in six innings on Wednesday night, allowing Cleveland to cruise to a 6-0 victory and a sweep of their two-game interleague series.
One evening earlier, Roy Halladay was rocked for a season-high eight runs as the Indians crushed Philadelphia 14-2. Halladay has won a Cy Young in each league, while Lee earned the 2008 AL honor with Cleveland.
"Give them credit, they pretty much pounded us both games in this series," said Lee, who gave up nine hits, four earned runs, and two walks while striking out four. "It seemed like everything was going their way and they pounded us.
"When you get down that big early, you've got to have a little more pride than that and find a way to be a little more competitive than we were."
Lee (2-2), whose last victory came on April 9, suffered his second straight loss and has a 6.00 ERA in 18 innings over his last three starts. The three-time All-Star gave up a run in the second and another in the fifth, and three more in the third with the big blow coming on a two-run double by Indians designated hitter Asdrubal Cabrera.
Though Lee was traded by Cleveland to the Phillies on July 29, 2009, he said he wasn't nervous about his first career appearance against the Indians.
"It was just a normal game to me," said Lee, who was 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA in his first three outings of the season. "I wanted to execute pitches and throw strikes. Except for allowing the two walks, both of whom scored, I thought I did a decent job. Their whole team is swinging the bat so well, you just have to credit them."
Right fielder Ryan Raburn equaled his career best with four hits for the Indians, who have won a season-high four straight games by a combined margin of 39-5. Raburn is 12 for 14 (.857) with four home runs and nine RBIs in a stretch that began Sunday.
Cleveland left fielder Michael Brantley added three hits, matching the Phillies' entire team total. Philadelphia went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position against Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer (1-1) and four relievers.
"For whatever reason, I lock in more when guys are on base," Bauer said. "I'm a real competitor. I don't like giving up runs."
The Phillies didn't record their first hit off Bauer until left fielder Domonic Brown singled with two out in the fourth inning. Brown and center fielder Ben Revere accounted for their other two hits, both off Shaw.
Philadelphia's other highlight came in the bottom of the fourth, when right fielder Laynce Nix reached over the wall to rob Drew Stubbs of a solo home run.
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"We had many chances with guys in scoring position, but we just couldn't get it done," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "The Indians beat up on us these two games. They took it to us pretty good. They've got a lot of energy and are playing real good."
Bauer, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus before the game, picked up his first American League win with five innings of one-hit ball. He walked six and struck out five, but didn't allow a runner to get past second base.
The Phillies forced Bauer to throw 93 pitches, but failed to rattle him in his sixth major league start.
"When he got into some traffic, he made some unbelievable pitches," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "He attacked hitters when he had to. He had really good stuff."
Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard went 0 for 4, snapping his 11-game hitting streak.
The Phillies, however, have lost two straight after sweeping over the Mets over the weekend. They return home Thursday to begin a four-game series against the Marlins with a 12-16 record.
"I don't like to use the (phrase) early in the season because every day you play, you get closer to the finish line," Manuel said. "If we had any momentum going, they took it right away from us."
Philadelphia designated hitter Delmon Young, who went 0 for 3, was scheduled to start in right field, but could not do so after being struck on the right elbow by a Zach McAllister pitch Tuesday.
Manuel said Young's throwing elbow "will probably take a couple of days to get over" the soreness, likely limiting him to pinch-hit duties during the upcoming set against Miami.
NOTES: Revere had a seventh-inning single, but remains in a 4 for 28 (.129) slump. On the season, he is batting .204 with one extra-base hit and five walks in 100 plate appearances. "Ben has had a hard time getting going, but we've got to keep staying with him," Manuel said. "He has never walked in his career, so I don't see how he can change his approach at the plate unless he bunts a lot." ... Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (2-1) faces Marlins RHP Alex Sanabia (2-3) at 7:05 p.m. Thursday ... The Indians made room for Bauer on their 25-man roster by optioning LHP Nick Hagadone to Triple-A Columbus. Hagadone went 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA in eight relief appearances. ... Cleveland OF Nick Swisher (left shoulder) missed his second straight game, while no timetable has been established for OF Michael Bourn (lacerated finger).
[Associated
Press]
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