Blanton, Homers, beat Cardinals; Wagner Blows Again

Joe Blanton pitched very well to earn his first win as a Phillie. The Phillies won 2-1 as Blanton out dueled Braden Looper. He was supported by solo home runs from Greg Dobbs and Ryan Howard (31). Brad Lidge came in the 9th to earn his 27th save in as many chances.

The Mets had a 4-0 lead on Houston last night but saw the lead diminish to 4-2 going into the 9th. Ex-Phillie and current loud-mouth Billy Wagner loaded the bases and surrendered a 2 run single to Geoff Blum, blowing his 7th save of the year. He got out of the inning. In the tenth, Pedro Feliciano gave up a sacrifice fly to Daren Erstad and the Astros came from behind to win 5-4.

With those 2 games, the Phillies now hold a 1.5 game lead on the Marlins and a 2 game lead on New York. Pitching today is Brett Myers ((4-9, 5.46) for the Phillies and Todd Wellemeyer (8-4, 4.13) for St. Louis. Myers will look to follow up his 8 inning performance with another steller start tonight at 8 PM EST.

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Cards Snap Phils Win Streak

Cole Hamels was bad again. But it was for one inning. Unfortunately that one inning was the one that decided the game. Hamels was shelled for 4 runs, including a 3 run shot by Joe Mather en route to a 6-3 win for St. Louis. Hamels did settle down as he went 6, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits and truck out 5. Ryan Madson pitched the other 2 innings, giving up a solo shot to Ryan Ludwich in the 8th.

That Phillies offense did answer back in the top of the 6th with a 3 run inning but they couldn't tack on any more after that. Chase Utley drove in Shane Victorino on a ground rule double and Pat Burrell hit a 2 run homer. Geoff Jenkins then hit a double but was stranded.

Jimmy Rollins had a good day at the plate despite going 0-2 because he was walked 3 times. He showed patience, something he lacked that pisses off the fans. He needs to realize that he is valuable on base and can't get on if he's swinging at the first or second pitch.

Today's pitchers are Joe "Blow" Blanton (5-12, 5.13), who will probably get shelled, and Braden Looper (10-8, 4.38).

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3 Letters: PFP

After the Cardinals blow the lead in the 8th with 4 straight walks to give the Philles 2 runs, Chase Utley and Tom Gordon failed to connect on 2 ground balls. The Cardinals wound up winning the game 7-6.

Not only did the Phillies blow the game defensively but a mental mistake by Eric Bruntlett and good hands by Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina cost the Philles the go ahead run. With 1 out, Bruntlett charged home on a ground ball hit to first baseman Chris Duncan. He threw home to Molina, blocking a section of the plate. If Bruntlett would have slid around him, he would have been safe. But he chose to run threw Molina who made a blind tag and held onto the ball. Molina was hurt on the play, being put in a neck brace and carted off the field.


Brett Myers was scary on the mound again. He gave up 6 runs on 8 hits. He also struck out 3. He gave up 2 home runs to Skip Shumaker and Troy Glaus. Ryan Madson struck out the side in the 7th. JC Romero and Chad Durbin also pitched scoreless innings. Tom Gordon pitched the 10th, giving up 1 hit and 1 un-earned run.

Jimmy Rollins 2-5 today with 3 runs. He hit a triple in the 8th with 2 outs. He was followed by 4 straight walks. Ryan Howard went 2-4 with 4 RBIs and a double. His batting average improved to .217. Howard has 58 RBIs for the season, putting him in third in the NL. Pat Burrell added 2 RBIs, including the tying RBI walk. He has 47 total.

In the top of the 10th, Gordon got the first 2 batters out. Rick Ankiel hit a groundball to Chase Utley but his throw went wide. Glaus followed with a base hit to left field. With runners on first and second and 2 outs, Chris Duncan hit what looked like the third out. Utley fielded it and threw the ball to Gordon who completely missed the ball. Ankiel scored and the Cardinals won the game.

The Phillies finished the 9 game road trip 5-4. They are now 3 games ahead of the Marlins, who won today. The Phillies host the Red Sox with Cole Hamels leading off the series. Pitching probables are:

Monday - B. Colon (4-1, 3.41), C. Hamels (6-4, 3.27)
Tuesday - J. Lester (5-3, 3.43), J. Moyer (7-3, 4.12)
Wednesday - K. Kendrick, Masterson (MLB.com provided no probables for Wednesday)

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Lohse Outpitches Former Team

Kyle Lohse (8-2) went 8 strong innings against his former team, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He also struck out 3. The Cardinals went on to win 3-2. Ryan Franklin, another former Phillie, pitched a 1-2-3- inning for his 9th save. The last play of the game was a diving catch made by Ryan Ludwick on a ball hit by Geoff Jenkins. The ball bounced before it reached Ludwicks glove but it was ruled a catch. There was no review and the game ended.

Adam Kennedy homered for the Cards in the first, a 2 run shot off of Adam Eaton.

Eaton pitched well too tonight but got no support from the offense that produced a season high 20 runs the night before. He went 6.2 innings, giving up 3 runs on 9 hits and 1 walk. He also struck out 3.


Pat Burrel homered for the Phillies, his 18 of the year. He and Ryan Howard were the only position players to get a hit. Eaton helped his own cause with 2 hits.

The Phillies remained 4 games ahead of the Marlins for the NL East lead. Tomorrow's pitchers are Brett Myers (3-8, 5.34) for the Phillies and Mitchell Boggs (1-0, 3.86) for St. Louis.

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Red Hot Phils Burn Cardinals

The Cardinals got burned after the Phillies put up 20 runs on 21 hits to beat St. Louis 20-2. Kyle Kendrick pitched strong and the offense produced. The Phillies matched their season high in runs and set a new high in hits (previous was 19). Ironically, Aaron Miles, a 2nd baseman, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning, the first of the night for the Phils.

Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Pat Burrell went back-to-back-to-back in the top of the first to give the Phillies a quick 3-0 lead. The 4th inning was filled with the most excitement with 9 runs and the Phillies batting around. Shane Victorino had 2 hits in the inning.


Ryan Howard impressed in his home coming, getting 3 hits. He had a solo bomb in the first and added a 3 run shot in the sixth. He finished with 5 RBIs and scoring 4 times. Reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins was the only starter to not record a hit tonight.

Kendrick (6-2) pitched 7 innings and gave up 2 runs and 1 earned on 8 hits and 1 walk, striking out 1. Rudy Seanez gave up 2 hits in the eighth and Condrey pitched the ninth.

The Phils expand their lead in the NL East to 3.5 games on the Marlins. The Phillies have also won 2 straight. Adam Eaton ((2-3, 4.62) will take the mound as he faces former Phillie Kyle Lohse (7-2, 3.92).

Notable Phils:
Victorino: 3-7; 2 runs; 1 RBI
Utley: 2-3; 2 runs; 3 RBIs; HR (22)
Howard: 3-5; 4 runs; 5 RBIs; 2 HR (17)
Feliz: 3-5; 2 runs; 1 RBI; double
Ruiz: 4-6; 1 run; 4 RBIs; 2 doubles (7)
Kendrick: 7 innings; 8 hits; 1 BB; 1 K; 1 HR

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