BlueClaw pitchers Justin DeFratus (left) and Heitor Correa sign caps and things for fans before last night's game at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, New Jersey. The giveaway was a nifty Ryan Howard cap.Last night's game started late because of rain. I left it early because of windshield wiper issues on the way down to Lakewood. We listened to the game on radio till it faded out around Trenton. In the end, Lakewood lost to the West Virginia Power (Pittsburgh Pirates) 4-3. Travis D'Arnaud caught for Lakewood; his older brother Chase played shortstop for West Virginia.
The Phillies game took us the rest of the way home. Joe Blanton pitched a seven-inning gem, allowing no runs on three hits and striking out a career-high 11. Shall we think that he has fixed what was wrong with him? Shane Victorino had four hits, putting his blunder of the previous night behind him. Madson needed just nine pitches in the 8th. With the Phils up 5-0, Durbin came on in the 9th to finish things off. He got one out, then gave up a walk, a single, and a walk. Eyre followed and got a dead doubleplay ball to Ryan Howard, who sailed the ball past Rollins covering second. The Marlins ended up scoring, which forced Brad Lidge into the game. He came in to a standing ovation, walked Bonifacio, then got Hermida to ground out and Helms to strike out. Talk about mood swings.
Howard's error was his first of the year. His defence this season has otherwise been, like Joe Blanton's pitching last night, brilliant.
