IS ON THE TRADE RUMOR TRAIL
At the all-star break a year ago, the Phillies acquired Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics for three minor-leaguers. For the most part, the fan base yawned.
The stocky righthander came with a reputation as an innings eater, a guy who could be counted on to take his turn every fifth day. In other words, an Ordinary Joe. And, oh, yes, the Phillies were desperate because Brett Myers had been sent down to the minors to try to put his psyche and pitching repertoire together.
So it seems remarkable that Blanton was the Phillies' most reliable starter in the first half of this season. And he's been getting better.
Pitching with confidence and assertiveness, Blanton gave the Phillies 71/3 innings for the second consecutive game in their 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates last night at Citizens Bank Park.
When Blanton was pulled in favor of lefthander J.C. Romero after allowing a one-out double in the eighth, he received a standing ovation from the 35th sellout crowd of the season.
"I just feel like I'm throwing anything on any count and just attacking the zone," he said.
Blanton shrugged off a 436-foot home run by Garrett Jones in the first inning and settled into a rhythm that set the game on a brisk pace as the Phillies won for the seventh time in their last eight games, which is not a bad way to head into the all-star break.
"I got the first two guys out, and he hit it a long way," Blanton said. "I'll take one of those in seven innings of work every outing. I just try to attack and work quick."
Romero helped Blanton by getting three outs before Brad Lidge went in with one out in the ninth and induced heart palpitations through the crowd. Brandon Moss launched a two-out home run and Jack Wilson singled before Lidge struck out Delwyn Young with a slider to end the game.
"With a two-run lead, a solo homer is the best one to give up," manager Charlie Manuel deadpanned.
Blanton allowed four hits and struck out six while walking one to boost his record to 6-4. He leads the Phillies in innings pitched (1031/3), strikeouts (91) and quality starts (10) and is 4-1 with a 2.44 earned run average in nine starts since May 26. Blanton has allowed one earned run in the last 142/3 innings. He threw 103 pitches - 71 for strikes.
"Blanton's aggressive," Manuel said. "He likes to pitch, and he's a bulldog. His last three or four times out, he's been very consistent. He had a big spring, and then early on it seemed like he'd run into a bad inning."
Meanwhile, Phillies pitchers have a 2.43 ERA during the homestand.
The Phils scored three third-inning runs with two outs, and the Pirates were quite willing to help them along with an error by centerfielder Andrew McCutchen.
Chase Utley stroked a single to center with Victorino on first. McCutchen mishandled the ball, and Victorino raced around the bases to score. Ryan Howard walked, and Werth celebrated the good news he had received earlier in the day by ripping a two-run double. The rightfielder, who was added to the National League all-star team as a replacement for injured Met Carlos Beltran, has reached base in 17 straight games. He has driven in a run in five straight.
In the first inning, Victorino ran the Phillies out of a possible run because he was a little too rambunctious. He was on second with a one-out double, and Utley was at the plate. Utley had nine RBIs in the first seven games of the homestand, so there was no need for Victorino to try to steal third. He tried anyway, but Pirates starter Zach Duke was wise to it. The lefthander threw to third, and Victorino was nailed. Utley and Howard walked, but a first inning that had potential died.
As the game evolved, the 3-1 lead seemed larger because of the way Blanton was mowing through the Pirates, working quickly and throwing strikes, a novel concept in today's game. The homer by Jones appeared more and more like an aberration.
Contact staff writer Ray Parrillo at 215-854-2743 or rparrillo@phillynews.com.
Photos: 2009 Phillies 
