"For a sizable contingent of Philadelphia fans, Cliff Lee is Superman.

He's the unassuming star who nearly single-handedly carried their team to a championship two years ago, then spurned more lucrative deals elsewhere to return when given the chance. He is perfection personified.

The mystique Lee created in 2009 is pervasive, and it makes for a lofty standard.

So when the lefty came back to Philadelphia in December, fresh from another World Series appearance with the Rangers and the owner of a new five-year, $120-million deal, there was bound to be a chasm between perception and reality, between a romanticized past and the inevitable failures that lie ahead.

There have been days when Lee lived up to the image. The last time he pitched in Washington, he breezed through a 99-pitch, 12-strikeout complete game victory.

And there have been other days when Lee was mortal, when his pinpoint command was erratic and his gritty determination was overwhelmed by a bevy of base hits.

Tuesday, Cliff Lee wasn't a savior. He was human.

He allowed two home runs to Danny Espinosa, walked three and gave up six runs before being pulled in the sixth inning of a game the Nationals went on to win 10-2.

"It basically boiled down to Espinosa hitting two big home runs for them," Lee said. "Take that away and it's a different game, but obviously you can't do that. It is what it is."

Lee departed after walking Jerry Hairston Jr. with one out in the sixth. That was the third walk of the game for Lee, his 19th free pass this season."