Dubee skeptical of Blanton's 'mechanical' problem
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Dubee skeptical of Blanton's 'mechanical' problem
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
WASHINGTON -- Following Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Nationals, Joe Blanton was convinced he had figured out the main cause of his 10.45 ERA to begin 2011.
Pitching coach Rich Dubee isn't so sure Blanton is right.
In the clubhouse after the game, Blanton referenced an issue he had pitching from the stretch in 2009, when he noticed his feet were too close to each other. He said he believed that was his problem in the first two starts of this season.
"It's kind of obvious," said Blanton, who allowed five runs in six innings. "I've given up a lot of hits with runners on. I need to make an adjustment there. It's not mind-set or anything. It's the physical execution of being in the stretch."
Blanton, who said he planned to watch video Wednesday to confirm his feeling, was unavailable for comment. Dubee said he watched some film and could not agree with Blanton's assessment.
"I didn't see anything," Dubee said. "If he thinks that's the problem, I'll have to talk to him about it."
So what is the problem?
"He just alllowed innings to snowball," Dubee said.
Dubee cited two pitches he thought were especially egregious -- an 0-1 slider to Jayson Werth over the heart of the plate that was hit for a double to lead off the fourth and an 0-1 sinker to Jerry Hairston that was also down the middle and hit for a run-scoring single.
"Those are bad mistakes," Dubee said. "He's not executing."
Dubee said they will be addressed during Blanton's bullpen session Thursday.
With runners on base, opposing hitters are 9 for 18 (.500) against Blanton with three walks and three strikeouts. With the bases empty, hitters are 8 for 27 (.296) with no walks and seven strikeouts.
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This is a funny article... Dubee seems out of touch— RichieAshburn- When's Moyer available again?— burholme
- What is Dubee's point? Better to shut up with media and deal with Blanton as necessary— Charon
- They could make Joe a bases-loaded reliever, that way he would never have to pitch out of the stretch!— Byter
- how about he just plain sucks?— tooltime
- joe "cowley" blanton— rysagr
- Joe "Adam Eaton" Blanton— shawnmac
- Dubee's not out of touch, Blanton's out of shape!— ngfs66
- Um......I think I figured this all out. Here it is.....you all ready for the answer to why he has been pitching badly?............Ok............here we go..............HE SUCKS! Honestly, he's a number 5 starter, by talent and by his status in this rotation. Pencil in 15 losses for this guy, unless he's traded and in which case, it will probably be to a bad team where he'll be their no. 3 and lose even more.— twelvevltman
- Phils fans on this site may be the biggest trolls in this town. Talk radio not taking your negative calls anymore?— HandNik
- If you have something positive to say about him say it , don't use this space to dis other commenters. — Terry Harris
- dubee actually said...EGREGIOUS?? damn!!— bubba church & granny hamner
- Blanton is not pitching well with runners on base... or the bases empty.
He is giving batters good locations to hit. Solution? Take him out of the rotation and have him practice at Lehigh Valley.— johnny eagle - Blanton's stuff just ain't that special, and he lobs balls up there making to many mistakes. The average pitcher in the game is working extremely hard just to keep their team within grasp, while it looks, to me at least, like Joe is just expecting his stuff to be great.
He's always had a problem with making to many mistakes. He has games where he looks great, but more often than not, he's working out of mistakes he makes.— MFPhils
