Offense, double plays help Blanton in Phillies' win over Marlins

MIAMI - Joe Blanton returned to the mound last night for the first time in 16 days.

The results? To be determined.

"Obviously, tomorrow is a big test," the Phillies righthander said after allowing three runs in five innings of a 6-4 win over the Marlins last night. "You really can't tell right after you come out of the game. Tomorrow is going to be a good test. And probably even [more] the next day, because every pitcher probably has a little bit of soreness on the day [after]."

Blanton is scheduled to make his next start Saturday in Atlanta. Of course, that is contingent upon his elbow showing no ill effects from its first significant test since it landed him on the disabled list 2-plus weeks ago. The official diagnosis was an impingement. Basically, it was sore. An MRI revealed no structural damage, and Blanton made a speedy return to the mound, throwing a couple of bullpen sessions but no minor league outing before facing the Marlins.

He was rusty, which was to be expected. Blanton allowed 10 baserunners, which on most nights would result in more damage than three runs. But he also coaxed four doubleplays, one of them set into motion by a nifty pivot by second baseman Pete Orr in the third inning, eliminating Gaby Sanchez and leadoff baserunner Hanley Ramirez. If that seems like a large number of doubleplays, well, it is: Not since the Mariners' Joel Piniero in 2006 had a starter recorded four doubleplays in five or fewer innings.

"They saved me," Blanton said. "They say [they are] a pitcher's best friend; they really were tonight."

Running a close second was his offense.

Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a home run and finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored, improving to 10-for-28 with two extra-base hits, three RBI, five walks and six runs in seven games since moving back to the leadoff spot from the three-hole. Ross Gload, starting in rightfield in place of the struggling Ben Francisco, went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Raul Ibanez and Ryan Howard also chipped in with two hits apiece.

Gload entered the night 16-for-38 with four extra-base hits in his career against Marlins starter Javier Vazquez, who allowed six runs on nine hits with one walk and no strikeouts in 4 innings. Francisco is hitting .190 with four extra-base hits in his last 26 games after starting the season hitting .357 with four extra-base hits in his first seven.

The Phillies had a 6-3 lead after the fifth inning, when Blanton left the game after throwing 66 pitches. The righthander last pitched on April 23 in San Diego, when he held the Padres to two runs in seven innings.

"He did OK," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He hadn't pitched in more than 2 weeks. That's about what we wanted."

Vance Worley logged three solid innings in relief, allowing his only run on a homer by Sanchez to lead off the eighth inning. The effort allowed the Phillies to stay away from young relievers Antonio Bastardo and Michael Stutes, both of whom have logged significant action lately.

In the ninth, Ryan Madson recorded his fourth save since taking over for the injured Jose Contreras.

The Phillies are 23-11, three games ahead of the Marlins (20-14) in the National League East. They have won seven straight games at Sun Life Stadium and 18 of their last 23.

Blanton said he has some mechanical issues he is trying to iron out. He thinks he might be slotting his arm lower than usual, which could put strain on his elbow.

"The first time back is always a little bit different," said Blanton, now 1-1 with a 5.83 ERA. "I'm trying to clean up my mechanics a little bit, so it's going to feel a little bit different to start off. Hopefully I continue to try to get better."

Any pain? "It was OK," he said. "I was able to go out and pitch. [Catcher Brian] Schneider did a great job, moved things around, changed speeds a little bit, and I was able to get through what I needed to help us win."

For more Phillies coverage and opinion, read David Murphy's blog, High Cheese, at www.philly.com/HighCheese. Follow him on Twitter at

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