Lee takes another shot at first win vs. Blue Jays

Cliff Lee and Ricky Romero are at opposite ends of the spectrum this season. Amazingly, the Philadelphia lefty has yet to crack the win column in 2012 and hasn't received much run support. On the other hand, the Toronto bats have blossomed with Romero on the hill.

Lee and Romero take the mound this afternoon in the middle installment of this three-game series at Rogers Centre.

Romero is 3-0 over his last five starts and hasn't lost since May 13 at Minnesota. The lefty didn't get a decision Sunday at Atlanta, but the Blue Jays came back for a 13-4 win. Toronto has scored 47 runs over the last five games started by Romero.

Additionally, he's 5-0 with a 3.51 ERA in six home starts this season. Romero is also 1-0 with a 2.21 ERA in three lifetime games against the Phillies.

Lee is in the middle of the longest winless stretch of his career. He has struck out 20 batters and walked just three over his last two starts, but the Phillies have lost by a run each time - to Baltimore and the Dodgers. Lee, though blew a 4-1 lead at Camden Yards on Sunday in a game the Orioles won in 10 innings.

The Phillies have scored two runs or less in half of his 10 starts. He's 2-5 with a 4.23 ERA in 10 games against the Blue Jays.

Philadelphia's offensive struggles continued last night in a 3-0 loss. The Blue Jays used six pitchers to blank the Phillies.

Drew Hutchison started the game for Toronto, but left after nine pitches due to right elbow soreness. Aaron Laffey took over and pitched 1 1/3 innings.

Carlos Villanueva (2-0) gave up two hits over four frames to pick up the win. Jason Frasor, Darren Oliver and Casey Janssen each pitched one inning.

"Just an outstanding effort on the part of the bullpen tonight," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said.

Yunel Escobar and Brett Lawrie had an RBI apiece for the Blue Jays, who snapped a three-game skid.

Vance Worley (3-3) allowed three runs -- one earned -- on five hits over seven full frames for the Phillies, who had a brief two-game winning streak stopped. He struck out five and walked two.

Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz left the game in the sixth inning with a left oblique strain.

The Blue Jays lost two of three meetings with the Phillies a season ago and have dropped six of the past nine contests in this series.