New York: Left-hander Cliff Lee threw another post-season masterpiece on Monday as the Texas Rangers beat the New York Yankees 8-0 to seize a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series.
Lee, who consistently changed speeds and hit the corners to confound the Yankees, allowed two hits and struck out 13 over eight innings as he won for the third time this post-season and improved his career playoffs record to 7-0.
Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton gave Lee all the support he needed by stroking a two-run homer in the first off starter Andy Pettitte, winner of a record 19 post-season games. Texas added six runs in the ninth off three Yankee relievers.
Despite having thrown 122 pitches, Lee was prepared to take the mound in the ninth to protect the 2-0 lead before the Rangers' rally turned the pitchers' duel into a rout.
Making adjustments
"I do the same thing every game," Lee said about his approach. "I'm going to throw strikes and I'm going to throw fastballs in and out and see how they swing, and I'm going to make adjustments on the fly."
Yankees captain Derek Jeter and power hitter Alex Rodriguez both praised Lee.
"He was hitting his spots today," said Rodriguez. "Pretty much a masterpiece."
Jeter, who struck out three times, said: "There was nothing too much in the middle of the plate. His fastball was moving."
Lee, 32, retired the first 11 Yankees before issuing his only walk of the game to Mark Teixeira, who received an ovation from a Yankee Stadium crowd of 50,000.
"Cliff was great tonight to say the least," said Pettitte, who held the Rangers to two runs and five hits over seven innings.
"He was outstanding." Jorge Posada's single to right with two outs in the fifth inning was the first hit off Lee.
Brett Gardner's lead-off single in the sixth was New York's only other hit in the game.
"The guy can pitch," Texas manager Ron Washington said.
"He can move the ball around, change speeds and hit spots. To do what he did to that lineup, you definitely have to tip your hat to Cliff Lee."
