The Indians have had plenty of pitching woes this season, but the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has made sure that every fifth day the Indians get a quality start. Cliff Lee did it again Friday night.
Unfortunately for Lee and the Indians it didn't result in a victory. That is becoming a troubling pattern for the Indians this season. Lee pitches well, but the Indians don't win. Friday night Lee held Detroit to one run over eight innings, but the Indians lost 1-0. Lee has been victimized by a consistent lack of offensive support, to the point that his 1-5 record is extremely deceiving.
In Lee's last four starts, the Indians have scored a total of two runs. He has a 1.74 ERA over those starts, but a record of 0-3. In Lee's five losses overall this season the Indians have scored a total of six runs.
Lee has been the one constant in a shaky starting rotation. He has been the one starter who has taken the Indians even shakier bullpen out of the equation by consistently pitching deep into games. Unfortunately for Lee and the Indians all those innings haven't translated into victories.
TIGERS 1, INDIANS 0: LHP Cliff Lee held Detroit to one run over eight innings, but still saw his record fall to 1-5 as the Indians were held to two hits. 2B Asdrubal Cabrera's first inning single and a double by C Victor Martinez in the seventh were the Indians' only hits.
