Manuel: Blanton will start Game 4
Manuel: Blanton will start Game 4
Daily News staff
Here is what Charlie Manuel had to say, after the Phillies lost Game 3 to the Giants, 3-0.
Will Joe Blanton start Game 4? "Yeah," Manuel said. Manuel was asked if there was any discussion after the game about starting Blanton. "No discussion," Manuel said.
About Game 4, Manuel said: "I'd say tomorrow is the biggest game we've played so far. Today was a big game but tomorrow is bigger. That's how I look at it."
About Giants starter Matt Cain: "I thought Cain was too good. He didn't give us any runs. Even though he hit a couple of batters and gave us three walks, he pitched better. We did hit any balls hard. He mixed his pitches well."
About whether Ben Francisco will replace Raul Ibanez in leftfield: "He hits lefthanders real well. We'll think about it."
About Cole Hamels' performance: "I thought it was big when he walked [Pat] Burrell. Cody Ross has been hot and he bit a ball down. Hamels, he definitely could have gotten out of the inning. Ross got a big hit off him."
About Chase Utley's swing: "It might have something to do about the pitching. I don't know what we're going to do about it. I can talk to them about it but when the game starts, it's up to them."
Joe will take the ball and have a good outing. But, if the team doesn't hit, doesn't matter.
I think Joe can do a great job tomorrow and help the Phillies even the series. Then it's back to H2O to wrap it up. Phillies in 7.— jhd- Agreed. The hitting has been inconsistent all season. And guys (Werth) have good stats that gloss over their inability to his runners in scoring position. With rare exception, everyone has had a down offensive season. If the hitting continues to go south, then it's time to dust off the clubs.— Steve Jeltz
- Does this man learn nothing? Anyone remember last year?
- Better luck next season Phils ...
This season is toast ...
I don't see this series going 6— azsixerfan - Starting Blanton could be the dumbest decision in the history of Philadelphia sports. The Phillies cannot afford to give up more than 1 or 2 runs in this game.— Freedom Fries
- How do you expect the Phillies to score off Baumgartner who just shut down the Braves? The only chance the Phillies have to win this game is if Halladay starts and the Phillies win 1-0 or 2-1.— Freedom Fries
- Yeah. You right Greg Gross is problem. Wow Clueless.— phillysbest1
- Freedom Fries - Not quite shut down. Bumgarner gave up 6 hits, 2 runs and a walk in 6 innings. In the regular season he averaged about the same -- closer to 7 hits and 2 runs per game. At some point the Phillies have to hit the ball. Overall, Blanton should be as good as or better than Bumgarner. He had a good second half but you wonder about the time between his last start.— s
- Stop talking about our starting pitcher. Blanton is fine. Our bats are the problem.
Fransico in left, and Rollins lead off.— taxiron1 - re: Francisco
David, You omitted the rest of Charlie's quote. He also said, 'Ben hasn't played since Washington" abd "It's a little late to be making changes."
Combined with Charlie's predilection towards staying with his regulars,I'll be surprised if we see Ben
— sammdogg - So, the knock on Cliff Lee last year was that he woudln't pitch on 3 days rest. Surely that would change with a workhorse like Roy Halladay....apparently not.
- The Giants have won their last game in 2010. They just don't know it yet. Phillies hitters have now seen the Giants pitchers and they will respond. Halladay has seen the Giants htters and he will respond. Oswalt and Phillies hitters take care of business at the Bank on Saturday.— Scoop
- I still like our chances. Win today and the series is tied. We then have H2O for a three game series. As wxdavid posted, If we can't beat a rookie, 21 year old, one year out of college ball, we don't deserve to win.
- Jay_Grace - Classy comment. A real fan.— Malachy
