Joe Blanton was outstanding in game 1 of a straight doubleheader with the Marlins yesterday down in Miami, going seven innings of two-hit shut-out ball. A couple of rocky starts aside, Blanton, something of a quiet bulldog, has been very, very good. It was a low-scoring affair till late, when the offense piled runs on in a 9-3 win. There was only one homer, a solo by Raul Ibanez. All other runs came via timely hits, steals, and savvy baserunning. Escalona came on in the eighth and started futzing, allowing the Fish to score three. Some guys are not pitching themselves into the post-season. On the other hand, injuries have so thinned the bullpen that everyone has got to be a candidate for action.
Anibal Sanchez returned the favor in game 2, going eight shut-out innings. He allowed just two hits, both to Chase Utley. Jamie Moyer was OK in the 3-0 loss. Jimmy Rollins stole his 30th base of the season.
I spent game 1 switching back and forth between the Phillies and Rickey Henderson, Lead-off Legend, a sweet documentary about the legendary one which was on MLBN. It was narrated by Jimmy Rollins, who grew up idolizing Henderson.
