Joe Blanton goes 7.2 innings before rain takes him out
Phillies pile on runs to back strong Blanton – Zach Schonbrun, MLB.com
Phillies rout Indians to complete sweep – John Finger, CSNPhilly.com
Phillies pound Indians behind Blanton – Matt Gelb, Philadelphia Inquirer
Blanton, Phillies beat Indians 12-3 – AP report via Yahoo! Sports
Cleveland Indians hammered in Philadelphia as Phillies complete sweep – Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
This was the kind of game the Phillies needed. The offense took advantage of some early mistakes from Cleveland and everybody in the starting lineup, including starting pitcher Joe Blanton, scored at least one run as the Phillies blew out the Indians, 12-3.
Blanton received plenty of early run support as the Phillies put up five runs in the second inning. It all started with Jayson Werth got the ball rolling with a lead off single. Raul Ibanez and Wilson Valdez each followed with their own base hits to load the bases for Dane Sardinha, who was starting for Brian Schneider to give the veteran a day off. Sardinha grounded to third baseman Andy Marte, who threw home for the force, but catcher Carlos Santana could not hold on to the throw, allowing Werth to score. With the ball glancing off of Santana’s glove and skipping to the wall behind home plate Ibanez was able to come hom to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead.
The rain was the only thing that could slow down the Phillies Thursday. AP photo.
Indians starter Fausto Carmona seemed rattled after the error, hitting Blanton to re-load the bases for the top of the order. Shane Victorino then was called out at first for running outside the base path. This prompted Charlie Manuel to come out of the dugout for a feisty argument, and after being tossed for the second time this series Manuel got some good choice words in before retiring to his air-conditioned office. Manuel actually managed less than half of the series between the Phillies and Indians. Regardless of the call at first (looked correct to me), Valdez came home to put the Phillies up 3-0. Placido Polanco kept the momentum going with a single to center field to score Sardinha. Chase Utley then hit a sacrifice fly ball to center fielder Trevor Crowe, but Crowe appeared to forget how many outs there were. Blanton, not the most swift on his feet, appeared to be prepared to stay at third base rather than risk getting thrown out at home, but with Crowe looking ready to jog off the field Blanton trotted home to give the Phillies a 5-0 lead.
Former Phillies prospect Jason Donald connected for a two-run home run after a pair of sloppy defensive plays and mis-communication put a runner on. The homer by Donald made it a three run game but that was as close as the Indians would get. The Phillies put two runs right back on the board in the bottom of that fifth inning.
Things only got worse for the Indians in the sixth inning as the Phillies exploded for five more runs. That inning started off with a lead off home run by Sardinha, his first career home run.
With the Phillies up 12-3 in the eighth inning the monster storm rolled in to Citizens Bank Park and really took a toll on the stadium. The ground crew battled to get the field covered. Here is some video of the scene from Enrico over at The 700 Level [link];
When the game resumed Nelson Figueroa filled in for Blanton, who finished his day with six hits scattered for three runs and eight strike outs (no walks) through 7.2 innings pitched.
What’s next?
The Phillies stay home but will take on the role of road team as the Toronto Blue Jays come to town. Due to a conflict with the G8 Summit in Toronto this series was moved to Philadelphia. The Blue Jays will be the home team despite the games being played this weekend in Philadelphia. Former Toronto ace Roy Halladay (8-6, 2.43 ERA) will make his first regular season start against his old club. Jesse Litsch (0-1, 6.75 ERA) gets the start for the Blue Jays.
Original Story:
http://machorow.us/2010/06/25/recap-p...
