Joe Blanton Wins First Decision; Phillies Take Game One In Florida

Posted by Danielle Wilson

Not quite a matchup that Phillies fans were too excited about, but Joe Blanton, fresh off of the disabled list, started tonight against Javier Vazquez who has a 5.40 ERA against the Phillies in his one start this season back on April 15th.

Jimmy Rollins led off this game with a home run to right center field, his 36th career lead-off homer. But since Joe Blanton was starting, he allowed the obligatory first inning run to score, in this case, it was two runs, courtesy of Gaby Sanchez and his double to center. 2-1 Marlins.

Chris Coghlan singled and scored Omar Infante in the second inning, giving the Fish a 3-1 lead.

In the top of the third inning, Ryan Howard singled with the bases loaded to score Joe Blanton who had previously singled to get on base. Ross Gload singled up the middle to score Jimmy Rollins, and Placido Polanco giving the Phillies a 4-3 lead.

In the fifth inning, Shane Victorino drilled a triple to right field, his third in three games, extending his hitting streak to 12 games, and Polanco popped up a sacrifice fly to score him. Ross Gload dropped in an RBI single later in the inning to score Ryan Howard, and the Phillies were up 6-3.

After five innings pitched, Joe Blanton hit the showers. His line: eight hits, three earned runs, two walks, and two strikeouts. Vance Worley replaced him and pitched three innings, allowing two hits including a solo home run to Gaby Sanchez, walking two and striking out two. 6-4

After the "E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES" chants in the top of the ninth, Ryan Madson came in for his fourth save of the season. He allowed two hits but struck out one and got Emilio Bonifacio to ground out to end the game. Phillies win this one, 6-4.

Tomorrow, Josh Johnson will have the honor of starting against Roy Halladay, a true matchup that I cannot wait to see.