By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
Maybe it was the impending return of JA Happ. Maybe it was the impressive outings by Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick. Maybe it was the rumors of Pedro’s return to Citizen’s Bank Park for another postseason run.
Doesn’t matter what it was, but something sure lit a fire under Kentucky Joe Blanton’s right arm on Friday night as he pitched the Phillies to a 9-5 win over the Minnesota Twins. Blanton registered his first quality start in what seems like forever, going six strong innings and giving up three runs on seven hits. It was the first time since May 20 that he allowed under four runs, and just the third time all season.
Joe Blanton come out throwing strikes for the Phillies on Friday. Phils fans have been waiting a long time for an outing like that from one of their innings-eater.
An innings eater who never really wowed anyone but was a solid No. 3 pitcher on a championship staff, and a great No. 4, Blanton has been hampered with the injury bug and gotten hammered since returning from the DL. His performance Friday dropped his ERA to 6.96. Enough said.
Blanton, whose spot in the rotation has been anything but a sure thing recently, came out and held the Twins, a first place team, scoreless for five innings before allowing a run in the fifth and two in the sixth.
Granted, it’s just one game, but it’s a start that people have been waiting for all year from Kentucky Joe. At least now he’s put himself back in the mix of keeping his starting spot when Happ comes back.
