Lee's loss keeps El Duque on top

SAN FRANCISCO

With tonight's Game 1 loss, Cliff Lee suffered his first career postseason loss, ending a streak of wins in seven straight postseason decisions to start his career, one shy of the record set by Orlando Hernandez from 1998-2000. 

"I missed up, I missed over the plate," Lee said. "Professional hitters don't miss that stuff."

In his previous three postseason starts this year, Lee held opponents to a .118 average (2-for-17) with runners in scoring position. The Giants were 5-for-10 in those situations tonight against Lee and 9-for-17 overall.

"They had some really good at-bats and I really wasn't locating tonight," Lee said. "They swung the bats well."

*** An interesting fact that has nothing to do with Lee: Freddy Sanchez became the first Giant to record four hits in a WS game since Monte Irvin did it against the Yankees in Game 1 of the 1951 Series. Throwing out tonight's ceremonial first pitch? Irvin.