Cliff Lee found his groove around the third or fourth inning, and he's very much still in it. After B.J. Upton led off the seventh with a base hit and a stolen base, Lee froze Willy Aybar, got Kelly Shoppach to pop out, and then froze Sean Rodriguez to end a scoreless frame. That sends a 3-1 contest into the top of the eighth.
Rays Vs. Rangers, ALDS Game 5: Cliff Lee Keeps Rays At Bay In Seventh
Lee has now reached the 100-pitch mark on the day, with 75 strikes. Darren O'Day and C.J. Wilson were warming in the bullpen in the seventh, and as durable as Lee usually is, he's got the top of the Rays order coming up, so Ron Washington will likely go to his relief at the first sign of trouble.
Joaquin Benoit is taking over for Grant Balfour for the Rays. Balfour threw a perfect seventh.
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