Lee outduels Wang, remains unbeaten
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Brad Mangin/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Cliff Lee went another game without issuing a walk, and it helped him earn yet another win.
A CY YOUNG FOR CLIFF LEE?
By Mark Simon, ESPN Research
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Cliff Lee starred on baseball's biggest stage Wednesday, shutting out the Yankees over seven innings in the Indians' second straight win in the Bronx.
On "Baseball Tonight" after the game, Lee admitted he wasn't quite sure of the reason for his success, but analyst Steve Phillips noted that Lee is throwing his fastball for strikes at a very high rate (76 percent on Wednesday). With that kind of command, it's easy to see why Lee has been so dominating. The four other pitchers in the divisional-play era to win their first six starts and post a sub-1.00 ERA all went on to win the Cy Young award. That would be a heck of an accomplishment for a pitcher who couldn't get anybody out in 2007. As it stands, he is the first Indians pitcher since Greg Swindell in 1988 to win his first six starts of the season.
| Cliff Lee | ||
| His best starts to a season | ||
| 2004 | 2008 | |
| W-L | 5-0 | 6-0 |
| ERA | 2.87 | 0.81 |
| Opp BA | .228 | .163 |
| Starts | 10 | 6 |
Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: May 6 | May 5 | May 4 | May 1 | April 30 | April 29
FORWARD THINKING: THURSDAY
• Phillies at Diamondbacks, 3:40 p.m. ET: The Phillies are next in line to get a crack at unbeaten D-Backs ace Brandon Webb (7-0, 2.40 ERA). Philadelphia apparently has a better chance against Webb in Arizona -- his ERA on the road is 1.33, but 4.05 at home. Brett Myers (2-2, 4.70 ERA) struck out 10 and threw 121 pitches his last time out.
• Red Sox at Tigers, 7:05 p.m. ET: Problems usually crop up for Justin Verlander (1-5, 6.28 ERA) sixth inning. He has given up 10 of his 35 runs in the sixth. Meanwhile, Josh Beckett (3-2, 4.19 ERA) has spread his runs out. He hasn't given up more than three total runs in any one inning.
• Rangers at Mariners, 10:10 p.m. ET: Teams are jumping on Felix Hernandez (2-2, 3.04 ERA) early. Opponents are hitting .310 (9-for-29) when going after the first pitch. Kason Gabbard (1-0, 2.18 ERA) is expected to be activated from the DL before Thursday night's game. He has been out since April 21 with a back injury.
• Complete list of pitching probables for Thursday's games
BBTN ON THE AIR: THURSDAY
| TIME | WHO'S ON? |
| 10 p.m. ET ESPN2 |
Host: Steve Berthiaume
Analysts: Buster Olney, Eduardo Perez |
| 1:30 a.m. ET ESPN2 |
Host: Steve Berthiaume Analysts: Buster Olney, Eduardo Perez |
BASEBALL TONIGHT MINUTE: LEE DAZZLES
WEDNESDAY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES
| GOOD |
 • Carlos Gomez, 22, became the third-youngest player to ever hit for the cycle on a 4-for-6 night against the White Sox. |
BAD |
 • White Sox reliever Ehren Wassermann gave up five runs, four hits and a walk in 1/3 inning worth of work. |
UGLY |
 • Brad Penny, hammered by the Mets, became the fourth pitcher in Dodger Stadium history to give up 10 earned runs |
FANTASY FIRST TAKE: YOUNG GUNS
FANTASY: PREVIEW OF THURSDAY'S GAMES
Will Harris examines the pitching matchups in store for the 12 games on Thursday's schedule in the American League and National League.
Harris also looks at injuries and details player reports that could help shape your roster for Thursday's games. Daily Notes
NEWS AND NOTES
• Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Phil Hughes all are expected to arrive in Florida today to begin their rehab work.
• Oakland reliever Keith Foulke, on the DL with neck stiffness, pitched two innings with Class A Stockton on Wednesday. He gave up one hit and one run.
• The Dodgers placed right-hander Esteban Loaiza on the DL with tightness in his shoulder blade.
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