Published: 11/13/2008

Indians' lefty Cliff Lee wins AL Cy Young Award

ASSOCIATED PRESS

In this May 30, 2008 file photo, Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Cliff Lee throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals. ED ZURGA / AP Enlarge

NEW YORK Cliff Lee is a runaway winner for the American League Cy Young Award, capping a dominant comeback season that made him the second consecutive Cleveland Indians lefty to earn the honor.

Demoted to the minors last year, Lee went a major league-best 22-3 this season with a 2.54 ERA. He received 24 of 28 first-place votes and 132 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Thursday.

Toronto ace Roy Halladay finished second with four first-place votes and 71 points.

Lee became the third Indians pitcher to win the award, following Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in 1972 and CC Sabathia last year.

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