Dominance, amazing, Cole Hamels-esque, this guy is the real deal.

Debuting for the Phillies and wearing number 34, Cliff Lee dazzled and impressed Philadelphia for 9 strong innings, allowing just 1 run, and striking out 6 over a 109 pitch night. Retiring his first hitter on 3 straight strikes, Lee quickly settled into a zone, and faced the minimum 17 of 17 through 6 innings. Unfortunately the perfect game had been lost earlier after an 11 pitch at bat with former teammate Ryan Garko. Shortly after former Phillie grounded into a double play.

It took the Giants a while to figure out the reigning Cy Young winner before one of them could actually spray a ball into fair territory before Uribe finally ended the no-hit bid in the 6th. However not all of us were dissapointed in the ending of the no-hitter. “I’m kind of glad I didn’t throw a no-hitter,” Lee said. “If I do that on the first time out, I’d be having to live up to some high expectations. Just to get to the win, I’m pleased.”

As a Phillies fan, I could get really used to seeing 34 and 35 in Phillies pinstripes for a long time.