After a weekend series with the Braves the Phillies now hold a 8 game lead in the NL East over the Braves and Marlins. They will go into September with a 75-53 record so far on the season and our cruising to another division title. Last night in South Philadelphia the Phillies needed starter Joe Blanton to pitch well and rebound after ace Cliff Lee got beaten up the night before. And pitch well he did. Country Joe went 7 solid innings only allowing 1 run on 3 hits and striking out 7. This was the 12th straight start where Blanton has allowed 3 earned runs or less. The only mistake was a first inning home run but other then that he was great and now boasts a 9-6 record for the year. Behind the plate Carlos Ruiz is best known for calling games but decided to get in on the offensive side and went 3 for 3 with 2 doubles and 2 rbis to provide the winning runs for the Fightins. When it was the bullpens turn in the 8th and 9th to hold the lead Ryan Madson came in but surrendered 1 run and left 2 on with no outs. In came specialty pitcher Scott Eyre who has been unbelievable this year at helping the Phils get out of jams late in game. Jimmy Rollins had a great night defensively and in the 8th Chase Utley stopped a tough 1 hopper and flippped it to 2nd where Rollins went for the unconventional double play and threw to 3rd and Feliz ran down the runner for the tag. After a groundout it was on the 9th and after a few days off our closer Brad Lidge came in to pitch a perfect ninth inning and save the game. Ruiz called some great pitches and Lidge answered and looked like the closer of 2008.
The Phillies have another Monday off and will stay in Philadelphia to host the now tied for the NL wildcard San Fransisco Giants. Cole Hamels (7-8) goes against Jonathan Sanchez(6-10).
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