Monday, May 9, 2011
Posted: 9:50 p.m. updated 11:24 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
BOX SCORE
MIAMIJoe Blanton was given three chances to say something that resembled any of the following:
Physically, I felt great.My elbow problems are behind me.Im 100 percent healthy.
He never spoke those words. In fact, the closest he came to giving a positive appraisal of the condition of his right elbow was when he was asked if he felt any pain at all in pitching five innings against the Florida Marlins on Monday night.
It was OK, Blanton said. Im able to pitch.
Hmmm.
MLB
Blanton was the winning pitcher Monday night in his first start after missing 2 weeks with what was called an impingement in his right elbow. He was the beneficiary of four double plays and just enough offense as the Phils were 6-4 victors over the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium. The win increased the Phils lead to three games over the second-place Marlins in the National League East. The Phils are 23-11.
Blanton had a couple of productive bullpen sessions in his time on the disabled list, but with no minor-league rehab tune-up the righthander was understandably rusty in allowing eight hits and three runs.
But was there more to it than just rust?
Is that elbow still tender?
Blanton sidestepped those questions, but pitching coach Rich Dubee did not.
I dont think hes 100 percent, Dubee said after the game. Its still a little cranky. At the same time there was some rust, too.
Dubee was asked if he was concerned.
Well see, he said. Hes definitely not 100 percent. He says its pitchable. There are certain pitches he feels it on and certain ones he doesnt. Well see what he feels like tomorrow.
Blanton also said the day after would be a good test to evaluate how he feels. But again, he indicated there was no problem. Every time he was asked about his health, he steered the interview toward his mechanics or praised catcher Brian Schneider for the game he called.
The first time back is always different, Blanton said. I need to clean up my mechanics.
Five innings is about what the Phillies expected from Blanton, whose pitch count was being watched. He threw 66 in five innings. Vance Worley, who had made two starts while Blanton was out, and Ryan Madson combined on the final four innings to put the Marlins away.
We felt like that was a good place for him, manager Charlie Manuel said of his decision to remove Blanton after five innings.
Five innings is never what a pitcher wants, Blanton said. But after missing two weeks you want to take baby steps.
The Phils have won 18 of their last 21 in Floridas ballpark. They came out hacking with Jimmy Rollins leading off the game with a solo homer against losing pitcher Javier Vazquez. Rusty and less than 100 percent healthy according to his pitching coach, Blanton gave up the lead on two singles and a two-run double by Gaby Sanchez in the bottom of the first. Florida built its lead to 3-1 in the second, seemingly hitting every ball that Blanton left up in the strike zone.
The Phillies rebounded in the third and had five singles to fuel a three-run rally and take the lead for good. The double-plays in the infield helped keep the Marlins at bay.
The team played great behind me, Blanton said. I was able to get ground balls when I needed them. They did a fantastic job turning them. Double plays are a pitchers best friend.
Neither starting pitcher made it past the fifth inning. Tuesday night could be a different story as Roy Halladay and Josh Johnson reprise their matchup from May 29, 2010. Remember that one? Halladay pitched a perfect game. Johnson enters the start with the second-best ERA (1.68) in the NL. Halladay (2.19) is fifth.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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