"Cliff Lee may not always win. Doesn't always dominate the opposition. Even gets cuffed around from time to time. But one thing you can count on is that he won't walk many batters. In an uncertain, constantly changing world, it's good to know there are still a few verities that can be counted on.

Why, the lefthander who was the most prized pitcher on the free-agent market last winter went into last night's start against the Cardinals ranked first among National League starters by averaging 1.20 bases on balls per nine innings.

Say it ain't so . . .

When Lee tied his career high with five walks last night, there was still nobody out in the fourth inning. He broke his personal record in the seventh.

Gee, what's next? Gas that costs 4 bucks a gallon?

Now, that's not the reason the Phillies were beaten, 3-1, at Busch Stadium. All things considered, holding the team that led the NL in runs to a three-spot with that many walks is pretty impressive.

The offensive problems, however, continued. Granted the Phillies were without Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco in the starting lineup and haven't had Chase Utley all season, but consider this eye-popping factoid:

They've scored three or fewer runs in 21 of their 40 games this season.

They're 8-13 in those games.

When they score at least four times they're 17-2.

That led to an interesting vignette in the silent clubhouse after the game. Hitting coach Greg Gross and pitching coach Rich Dubee were sitting side by side, each staring into a computer screen replaying the game, each taking copious notes as he watched.

The Phils have now lost three straight for the first time this year. They're still in first place, still have the NL's best record. But it sure didn't feel like it in the somber room.

Lee was clearly frustrated. He disagreed with veteran home-plate umpire Gerry Davis' strike zone, but he's wise enough to understand that there's no percentage in airing his grievances publicly.

"I felt like I threw a lot of strikes that were called balls. It is what it is. I'm the pitcher, he's the umpire. It's his job to call balls and strikes and he obviously felt like they were balls. I guess . . . There's nothing I can do about that. All you can do is get the ball and throw more pitches. I don't want to sit here and make excuses," Lee said.

"It's my job to throw strikes and force the other team to swing the bat. They made me throw a lot of pitches and drew a lot of walks. I'm typically not a guy that walks a lot of guys but, for whatever reason, it happened.""