Other Crap

Cliff Lee is magnificent in his Mariners debut. They lose anyway.

Talk about a pitcher's battle. Lee was nearly unhittable for seven innings, allowing only three singles and no walks. The Rangers' Colby Lewis matched Lee, perhaps even topped him, with nine innings of shutout ball and 10 Ks. Lewis retired the last 21 batters he faced!

Lewis has pitched quite brilliantly this year. Is he a rookie or something? No, not at all. He's a 30-year-old journeyman who's been in and out of the majors since 2002. He was part of the Texas rotation throughout the 2003 year, pitched poorly (7.03 ERA in 26 starts), then wandered off to two other major league teams and a bunch of minor league teams. He owns some obscure and not very prestigious records: highest ERA for a ten-game winner, highest winning percentage for a guy with an ERA over 7.00 - the sorts of records you don't want to mention when you entertain your grandkids in front of the fireplace. He had a lifetime ERA of 6.71 before this year, but he pitched the last two years in Japan, where he apparently learning something, because he is now back with the Rangers and has suddenly turned into Walter Johnson. He got no decision in last night's game, but he is 3-0 in his other starts this year, and this is the third time he has racked up double figures in the strikeout column. He struck out ten in five innings against the Indians, then ten in six innings against the Tigers. And, mind you, he's 3-0 pitching for the freakin' Rangers. They are 4-1 in his five starts, and 7-11 in their other games.

By the way, the Rangers finally scored in the 12th to win last night's game.