The Philadelphia Phillies won the opening game of the World Series 6-1 over the host New York Yankees on Wednesday due largely to the incredible pitching of Cliff Lee.

“To me he sets the tone by his rhythm, getting the ball back, and he knows what he’s going to do and he knows what he’s going to throw,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “I like the way he pitches. I like everything about how he goes about it.”

The Phillies, who won last year’s World Series, brought their game, which didn’t seem to phase Yankees captain Derek Jeter. “We’ve just got to win a game, it’s nothing more complicated than that,” Jeter said.

Game Two of the best-of-seven series will be in New York on Thursday with the Phillies starting Pedro Martinez against A.J. Burnett of the Yankees.

Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini has released wide receiver Braylon Edwards off on his former team. Mangini sent Edwards, a former first-round pick whose troubles have matched his immense talent to the New York Jets on Wednesday for wide receiver Chansi Stuckey, linebacker Jason Trusnik and undisclosed draft choices.

Braylon Edwards has 10 receptions for 139 yards but was held to no catches for the first time in his career in the winless Browns’ 23-20 overtime loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. His best season came in 2007, when he had 80 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Detroit’s 19-game losing streak is history as the Lions got their first win in over 21 months with a 19-14 triumph over the Washington Redskins at Ford Field.

The last time Detroit won a game was a 25-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on December 23, 2007. The team then dropped their next game at Green Bay and suffered through a humiliating 0-16 season last year, the first-ever winless campaign since the NFL went to a 16-game format. Detroit opened the 2009 season with a 45-27 loss at New Orleans and a 27-13 defeat to Minnesota last week at home.