SimpLee amazing: Phillies cruise to 2-1 series lead

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

It didn't take long for Philly fans to wash the disgusting taste from the Eagles loss out of our mouths. The Phillies, led by an early inning offensive outburst and a dominating performance by Cliff Lee, defeated the Dodgers 11-0 in Game 3 of the NLCS to give the Phillies a 2-1 series lead.

Lee was his usual dominating self, shutting out the Dodgers in his 8 innings of work. He amassed 10 strikeouts on the night while giving up only 3 hits and never allowed the Dodgers to even be a threat to score a run. Lee, who perhaps could be the greatest midseason acquisition in Phillies history, continues to step into the hole vacated by Cole Hamels as the team ace.

Offensively, the Phillies made an effort to not waste another good pitching outing like they did in Game 2, scoring 6 runs in the first two innings. Leading the way were Ryan Howard, who had a triple and 3 RBI, Jayson Werth, who had a 2-run shot, and Shane Victorino, who tacked on a 3-run homer in the 9th inning just for good measure. It was the type of offensive explosion we have come to expect from the Phillies, when they are on, they score their runs in bunches. If only they could have had a few of those hits yesterday.

The Phillies have to feel pretty good about themselves after this one. While any time Lee pitches the team should expect a win, the Phillies can hang their hat on the fact that they are one bad inning in Game 2 from having a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Dodgers. With the series continuing tomorrow in Philadelphia with Joe Blanton taking the mound against ex-Phillie Randy Wolf, the Phillies have a chance to put a stranglehold on this series. If they continue to hit the way they did tonight, nobody is going to stop them from being World Champs again.

Thank goodness for Cliff Lee and the Phillies. I almost forgot about how bad the Eagles were today. Almost.