After dropping both games of a day-night double-header yesterday, the Phillies were looking to shake off the rust and start off a four-game series with the Pirates on the right foot. Joe Blanton was looking for his seventh win on the season tonight, and would do so against Jeff Karstens.
Runs would be surprisingly easy to come by tonight for the Phillies. They can thank the Pirates' poor defense for that. The first run came error-free, with an RBI single from Pence which scored Rollins.
Next, Carlos Ruiz singled, which sent Hunter Pence to second. Hunter reached third on a throwing error, and Chooch was safe at second. Jose Tabata continued the mess and made a throwing error which allowed Hunter to score, and Chooch was safe at third.
Chooch scored on a single from Shane Victorino, followed by an RBI single from Placido Polanco which sent Shane home, and Polly to second on another throwing error. 4-0 Phillies.
Jose Tabata homered in the top of the third, a solo shot to right field, putting the Pirates on the board.
In the bottom of the same inning, Placido Polanco would pick up an RBI with a single up the middle, scoring Chooch.
Joe Blanton got into a bit of a pickle in the fourth, allowing a single to Clint Barmes which scored Neil Walker. Polanco's throw to first ended up in the seats, allowing Barmes to get to second easily.
With Mike Fontenot on base in the bottom of the fourth, Jimmy Rollins hit an absolute bullet of a home run, hitting one of the advertisements under the second deck in right field. 7-2 Phillies. Don't look now, Jimmy Rollins is on fire.
To continue this back-and-forth scoring, Andrew McCutchen singled to center to score Jose Tabata, making it 7-3.
Doug Slaten pitched an interesting inning of relief in the seventh. He gave up a single to Chooch to start it off, followed by three straight walks to Victorino, Polanco, and Wigginton. After Chooch scored, Mike Fontenot, Hector Luna, and Jimmy Rollins struck out swinging to end the inning. 8-3 Phils.
Joe Blanton was done after seven innings and 114 pitches. He allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits, walking one and striking out eight. Not too shabby.
Jake Diekman walked one in a scoreless inning of relief in the eighth. This was much better to see than the bullpen meltdowns that occurred this past weekend.
Chad Qualls closed it out with a scoreless ninth, sending Joe Blanton and the Phillies to a win.
Vance Worley will take the mound tomorrow against Eric Bedard at 7:05.
