Washed out. Again.

Despite improving weather forecasts, we headed to Saturday's game fully expecting to get soaked. Whenever there's the slightest chance of rain when we go to a Phillies game - it pours.

We were actually relieved that there was some heavy rain on the way over. The drive wasn't fun, but we arrived in plenty of time and listened to the pregame while looking at rainbows. (There were actually two right next to each, but one was too faint for the camera to pick up.)

First pitch was delayed a few minutes, but we didn't mind. We were dry and set to see Cliff Lee for the first time. His perfect start to his Phillies career was washed away, however, as he got torched for six runs on 10 hits in five innings against the Braves. His microscopic ERA tripled to 1.80. I had a feeling before we went to the game this would be the night the legend of Cliff Lee would come to an end.

Lee pitched well early on. In the second he didn't allow a run even though the Braves had two men in scoring position with one out. But in the fourth he gave up two homers (he had given up none in five starts as a Phillie), and the Braves were en route to an abbreviated 9-1 win.

On-field observations: Ryan Howard's single in the 4th was excellent, just a slow dribbler to second, but because the infield was back for the shift, the Braves had no play. It would have been a routine out if the infield were positioned normally. ... Lee's ERA rose from 0.63 to 1.47 after the first home run; 1.24 to 1.65 after the second; and 1.61 to 1.89 after the final bomb.

Unobservation: In the 2nd, I saw Jayson Werth swing and miss. I thought he struck out and noted it in my scorecard, but it was just the second strike. Brian McCann must have agreed with me because he threw the ball to third instead of back to the pitcher.

Observations from the stands: The QVC Singers did the anthem. Very weird. I kept expecting to see a 1-800 number with a timer posted on the scoreboard. ... Good fan question: "Who is your favorite former Phillies/Braves player?" With 42 percent, people selected BravesandPhil Dale Murphy over Kevin Millwood, Ron Gant and Johnny Estrada. ... The woman who received a marriage proposal wore a shirt "Happ and Lee Ever After." Wonder if she knew she was getting a ring?

Antiquated shirts: Not many, but a couple oddball Yankees - Moose Skowron and Don Mattingly - in addition to the usual Jim Thome, Pat Burrell and Chris Coste. Interesting about Mattingly: Earlier I told Christine that I was surprised Paul Bako wore No. 23 because it seems like one of the most popular uniform numbers, partly because of Mattingly. Maybe it's just a New York/North Jersey thing.

The skies opened: Our pregame confidence was shattered when we heard an usher say a storm was about five minutes away. When it arrived, we immediately hustled up some rows in the 400 level, under cover, to debate whether we should go with our windbreakers, ponchos, umbrellas or some combination. Before we could decide, another usher forced us to the concourse because of the lightning.

We found a good dry spot next to a snack stand that was closed. Until we saw water flowing out of a turned-on light fixture - probably not the safest place to stand.

We hung around until they ended the game in the mid-8th. Although it was pouring, Dan Baker told us to "exercise caution" when leaving. In other words, "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here."

We're going to one more game this year. I predict monsoon.

Today's games: The Phillies are on ESPN tonight.

Paul Byrd got a surprise start for the Red Sox today because Tim Wakefield's back is acting up. Great. The roider actually came through: three hits, three walks and no runs in six innings. Billy Wagner made his debut, striking out three and giving up a hit in the 8th inning. The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 7-0.