Joe Morgan Says Cliff Lee Needs To Go Out And Win The Game Himself

By Spike Eskin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – In 2010 and 2011, Cole Hamels was the pitcher in the Phillies rotation who didn’t get a lot of run support, and his record reflected it. This year, Cliff Lee seems to be getting the short end of the scoring stick with the Phillies. Joe Morgan says that sooner or later, Lee’s going to have to get a win on his own.

“There’s always a hard luck pitcher in the starting rotation,” Morgan told 94WIP’s Michael Barkann and Ike Reese on Wednesday. “There’s always going to be one guy that they score less for. Cliff Lee seems to be that guy for the Phillies.” Lee is winless so far this season, after losing a 2-1 decision to the Dodgers on Tuesday night. Lee pitched well, and took a 1-0 lead into the eighth, before giving up two runs with two outs in the inning.

“There comes a time, when you’re a superstar, you’re the star, you’re going to have to do something,” Morgan said. “Sometimes [Lee should say to himself], I’m going to have to win the game myself. I’m going to have to pitcher better than the other pitcher on the other team.”

“It has to be something on your own shoulders and say I’m going to get this done today. You can’t be perfect every time out, but there are times that the super star has to say I’m going to be better than the other guy on the mound tonight,” Morgan said.