MLB Playoffs Rangers Vs. Rays: Cliff Lee Works Out of Jam in First Inning

One inning into the American League Division Series between the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays, there have been five baserunners but no runs. The teams have combined for five hits, but failed to push across a run.

Both Cliff Lee and David Price, the dueling ace left-handers, have thrown 24 pitches, 17 for strikes. Each has favored his fastball to an extreme extent, with mixed results. Lee nearly walked home the go-ahead run with the bases loaded and Carlos Pena at the plate, but managed to escape by striking out Pena and designated hitter Rocco Baldelli.

For Lee, the first inning was a roller coaster. He gave up a leadoff single to Jason Bartlett, struck out B.J. Upton, gave up two more singles, and then struck out Pena and Baldelli. It was a three-whiff frame, but about as ugly as they come.

Pena briefly appeared to have gone ahead 3-1 in the count with the sacks packed and one away, but the umpires ruled that the ball had tipped his bat on its way past him. To counter, the Rays alleged that Pena had himself been hit by the pitch. The foul tip stood, however, and Pena would eventually go down looking.

Interestingly, the hitters seem to have the early advantage in what appeared to be an elite pitchers' duel in the making. Whether or not the starters can right the ship may decide the game: Both teams have solid bullpens; however, they prefer to use their starters as long as possible because both 'pens lack depth. If one or the other southpaw can find his form first, his team will be in great position to win Game 1.

Matt Trueblood is a student at Loyola University Chicago and B/R College Writing Intern. Follow him on Twitter.