Philadelphia Phillies (13-6) at San Diego Padres (8-12)
Joe Blanton RHP (0-1, 7.27 ERA) vs. Tim Stauffer RHP (0-1, 3.27 ERA)
Time: 8:35 pm, Petco Park
Weather: Clouds mixed with sun, 65
TV: CSN
Twitter: Phillies Nation
Enter Joe Blanton. The mere mortal amongst the Phantastic Phour.
Oh and guess what? He may have just gotten his groove back. Despite his 7.27 ERA this season, Kentucky Joe only allowed two runs in seven innings during his last start against Milwaukee. Earlier in the season, he thought he may have had some mechanical issues but now seems to be back on track.
On the team’s official website he said, “I felt a little better. I felt better from the stretch. I had a lot of innings where I had to work out of it.”
Just like the rest of the Phillies team Blanton has had some success against San Diego. He is 2-1 with a 2.77 ERA in his last two wins facing the Padres.
The Padres are in a bit of downward spiral offensively themselves these days. They have been shutout for the past two games by Phillies pitching and the last 31 innings against Philadelphia in Petco Park.
San Diego is hitting a league worst .214 this season. Padres starter Tim Stauffer is really hoping for some run support tonight after not allowing a run in seven innings against the Cubs in 1-0 loss in 12 innings.
Stauffer should have his hands full with the Phillies lineup. Ryan Howard has four hits in five at bats including two home runs against the righty. Pete Orr and Jimmy Rollins each have two hits against Stauffer.
The Phillies are hitting .265 as a team after their red hot start. They have only scored 15 runs over the last six games. The good part is they are 4-2 in those games.
Charlie Manuel has inserted Orr into the lineup at second base. Wilson Valdez shifts over to third to give Placido Polanco the night off. Kind of odd as Polanco is the hottest hitter in the Phillies lineup. The rest of the lineup shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Lineup: Victorino CF, Orr 2B, Rollins SS, Howard 1B, Francisco RF, Ibanez LF, Schneider C, Valdez 3B, Blanton P.
Your gameday beer: Pete’s Brown Ale
Pete’s Brown Ale is a beer from the Bear Republic Beer Co. in California. It’s made with molasses and brown sugar, so it’s bitter, slow and thick. Eat a steak with a sweet potato with this one.
GO PHILLIES!
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