Phillies Get Blanton as Mets Tie for Division Lead

Despite the Mets’ ten game winning streak the Phillies knew that they had to get another pitcher to make a run in the National League this year. With Brett Myers and Adam Eaton struggling mightily this season, the Phillies went out and picked up Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics for three minor league prospects Thursday. Joe Blanton has had some struggles of his own this year with a 4.96 ERA and a 5-12 record this year. He is very durable though coming off a great year last year where he won 14 games and had an ERA near 4. Blanton is going to give the Phils innings and hopefully wins. In his start against the Phils this year he gave up one run off of four hits and picked up the win, but the real good news for the Phils is that Blanton has not given up a run to the New York Mets in his last fifteen innings! The Phillies may try and start Blanton this weekend against the Marlins and that would put him in line to start against the Mets next week. The Phillies have a solid rotation now with ace Cole Hamels, ageless wonder Jamie Moyer, solid rookie Kyle Kendrick, Brett Myers, and now Joe Blanton. The odd man out in this equation is going to be Adam Eaton. He has been a bust ever since he came to Philly, with an ERA near 8 over his last 6 starts he will most likely be relegated to the bullpen. If Brett Myers comes back strong from his minor league stint, then look out for the Phillies in the National League this year, if not it could be another early post season exit for the Phillies this year. The Mets are on fire but we are only halfway home on this long marathon season.

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By Andrew Nuscis
Philadelphia Phillies & Tampa Bay Rays Correspondent

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