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While CC Sabathia went to Milwaukee and Rich Harden landed with the Chicago Cubs, the Phillies ended up with a chunky righthander who had gone 5-12 for the A's, trading prospects Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman and Matt Spencer for him.
Yesterday at Miller Park, however, the seemingly underwhelming addition was totally validated, with Blanton turning in a pitch-perfect performance that led to a 6-2 victory over Milwaukee in Game 4 of the division series.
Blanton allowed only one run on five hits in six-plus innings, striking out seven and walking none in the clincher.
"That's the best I've ever seen him pitch," manager Charlie Manuel said. "I've seen him pitch two or three good games. Today, he challenged the hitters. He was very aggressive. He definitely wasn't scared of nothing. He went right at them. He went right at [Prince] Fielder. . . . He went right at [Ryan] Braun. He went right after their big hitters; he didn't back away, and he did a heck of a job. He's a big reason why we won."
Provided with an immediate 1-0 lead on Jimmy Rollins' game-opening home run off Jeff Suppan and a 5-0 advantage in the third after back-to-back blasts by Pat Burrell and Jayson Werth, Blanton was able to relax and throw strikes without concern that one swing of the bat would be too damaging.
"It was awesome," Blanton said. "All of the credit really goes to the offense, though. Jimmy came out of the gates and really set the tone and, you know, gave us some momentum early. Then, later, Pat came through with the big blow. That was huge. That really gives you a lot of confidence pitching to go out and attack the zone and feel a little more comfortable."
Blanton opened his outing by catching Mike Cameron looking at a called third strike and never let up. He retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced and 18 of the first 21 before surrendering his only run on Fielder's tape-measure homer to open the seventh.
"He threw four pitches for strikes, and all four were above-average pitches," said Braun, who struck out in two of three plate appearances. "He threw the ball really well, just like all of their pitchers in the entire series. That's why they were the better team and deserved to win this series."
Blanton, who pitched six or more innings in only six of his 13 regular-season starts for the Phils, cruised into the seventh without permitting a runner to advance past first base.
"You've got to tip your cap to him," Fielder said. "He was just like all of their pitchers. They were all hitting their spots and making their pitches, and we were never able to get anything going."
Blanton, who went 4-0 with a 4.20 ERA for the Phillies after the trade, dealt with a bout of biceps tendinitis along the way but refused to use it as an excuse.
"Because of his tenacity and the way he goes out and fights, that's why he fits right into our team," Brett Myers said. "He'll be a big asset. Look at the way he shut down a great lineup today."
Despite the underwhelming start to his Phillies career, Blanton said he did not head to the mound yesterday feeling he still had something to prove.
"I didn't really think about it," he said. "I just go out and play the game the best I can every time - every fifth day or whatever it is - and try to give the team a chance to win. That's my main focus, just helping us any way I can."
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