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We Have a (20-Game) Winner!

Cliff LeeThe Cleveland Indians have their first 20-game winner since ‘74 after Cliff Lee pitched his fourth complete game and second shutout of 2008 en route to his 20th win.  Here’s a look at some other facts and figures surrounding Lee’s feat and a list of other pitchers still in the hunt for 20 wins in ‘08:

  • The last Indians’ pitcher to win 20 games was Gaylord Perry who went 21-13 in 1974.  Lee is the 25th pitcher in Cleveland history to win 20 in a season.  In addition to Perry (who won 20 games twice), five other Indians enshrined in the Hall of Fame also accomplished the feat:  Bob Lemon (seven times), Bob Feller (six times), Early Wynn (four times), Stan Coveleski (four times) and Addie Joss (four times). [Source: Baseball-Reference.com]
  • The Indians run of 33 seasons without a 20-game winner was the longest amongst all non-Expansion teams.  The Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins have never had a 20-game winner and the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres have not had a 20-game winner in 30 years. [Source: Associated Press]
  • Lee won his 20th game exactly one year to the day he was recalled from the Minors after a bried stint following his struggles in the first half of ‘07.
  • Lee’s last loss came on July 6th in Minnesota.  He is 9-0 with a 2.15 ERA in 12 starts at home.

League Leaders in Wins (through Monday)

American League

  1. Cliff Lee, Cleveland - 20
  2. Roy Halladay, Toronto - 17
  3. A.J. Burnett, Toronto - 16
  4. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston - 16
  5. Mike Mussina, NY Yankees - 16
  6. Gavin Floyd, Chicago White Sox - 15

National League

  1. Brandon Webb, Arizona - 19
  2. Aaron Cook, Colorado - 16
  3. Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati - 16
  4. Tim Linecum, San Francisco - 15
  5. Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs - 15

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