Phillies vs. Pirates preview
7:05 Citizens Bank Park. TV: Comcast SportsNet. Radio: WPHT (1210-AM); WUBA (1480-AM) Spanish. Ticket info: The game is sold out. Standing-room-only tickets will go on sale before the game.
Pirates LHP Zach Duke (8-7, 3.28) vs. Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (5-4, 4.69)
Pirates update: Duke faced the Phillies last April, allowing six runs in six innings of 6-5 Phillies win ... Duke is 2-3 with a 3.82 ERA in his last five starts, including a 5-3 loss to the Marlins on Saturday when he allowed four runs in six innings ... Duke has allowed at least one home run in five of his last six starts ... Jayson Werth is 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in his career off Duke.
Phillies update: Blanton has been one of the team's most consistent pitchers over the past month, going 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA in his last eight starts ... Blanton pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings Sunday in a 2-0 win over the Mets, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out five ... Blanton faced the Pirates once last season, pitching seven scoreless innings of a 2-0 Phillies loss at Citizens Bank Park. It is the only time he has ever faced the Pirates ... The Phillies entered last night leading the NL in home runs (117), runs (435), and extra-base hits (295).
