ALDS Game 5: Cliff Lee Brilliant As Rangers Beat Rays 5-1 To Advance To ALCS

We’re into the bottom of the eighth, and Lee is returning to the mound. He won’t have many pitches left in his arm, but he’s an efficient pitcher who doesn’t need many pitches to rack up three outs.

6 innings

8 hits

3 runs

0 walks

6 strikeouts

104 pitches (68 strikes)

Here’s a screengrab of the critical play at first base, where Mark DiMuro ruled that Ian Kinsler beat out the throw on a potential double play. The safe call allowed Vladimir Guerrero to score, extending the Rangers’ lead to 3-1.

Safe, or out?

From the looks of things, the key to coming back for Tampa will be getting Lee out of the game and feasting on whatever they get from the bullpen.

Lee is at 42 pitches, with 31 strikes.

Elvis Andrus, SS

Michael Young, 3B

Josh Hamilton, CF

Vladimir Guerrero, DH

Nelson Cruz, RF

Ian Kinsler, 2B

Jeff Francoeur, RF

Bengie Molina, C

Mitch Moreland, 1B

Cliff Lee, SP

Jason Bartlett, SS

Ben Zobrist, RF

Carl Crawford, LF

Evan Longoria, 3B

Carlos Pena, 1B

B.J. Upton, CF

Dan Johnson, DH

Kelly Shoppach, C

Sean Rodriguez, 2B

David Price, SP

The first pitch can’t come soon enough.