"Cliff Lee did it again.

He pitched the Phillies to a victory in Game 1 of the World Series.

He did it in 2009 against the New York Yankees.

And he did it again Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox.

All right. All right. This wasn't the World Series. It was way too hot and muggy for that. It was also four months early.

But Tuesday night's Phillies-Boston Red Sox game was billed as a World Series preview. And with a little of that postseason excitement in the air at Citizens Bank Park, Lee was at his best, pitching his third straight shutout in lifting the Phillies to a 5-0 win and giving them their 50th win as the season arrives at the mathematical halfway point on Wednesday night.

Lee didn't buy into any of that World Series preview stuff.

"It's June," he said. "We're a long way from the playoffs. It was definitely loud in the ninth inning. We sell out every game. But the postseason is definitely different."

Lee became the first Phillies pitcher since Hall of Famer Robin Roberts to pitch three straight shutouts.

Told of that feat, the unassuming left-hander responded with a shrug.

"When I'm done with my career, I'll look back and it will be something to be proud of," he said. "But I'm not going to pat myself on the back right now. I have to stay in my routine and prepare for each start. This one is over. I have to move on and prepare for my next start.

"I hope my career is memorable, but right now I'm just playing to help us win today."

Lee finished June 5-0 with an 0.21 ERA in five starts. He allowed one run in 42 innings and is riding a 32-inning scoreless streak.

Think about those numbers for a second.

Spectacular.

Lee's big June has put him in line for selection to the National League all-star team. He is 9-5 with a 2.66 ERA after 16 starts. Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels could also be bound for Phoenix next month. Halladay is 10-3 with a 2.40 ERA. Hamels is 9-4 with a 2.49 ERA."