sportsjabber.net

In his first game back with the Philadelphia Phillies in front of the 138th consecutive sellout at Citizen’s Bank Park, it was apparent how much Cliff Lee was missed.

The lefty fanned 11 batters in his team’s 9-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits behind a 14-hit Philadelphia barrage. He struck out three of the first five batters he faced, and didn’t allow a hit until Angel Sanchez came up with a single to lead off the fourth inning.

Lee, who now has ten career double-digit strikeout games, returned to Philly after a one-year absence where he played for the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. Realizing the mistake they had made, the Phillies came in hard during the Cliff Lee Auction this winter, handing him a five-year, $120 million contract.

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