Jealous Ones Envy

Joe Blanton continues to excel and prove his worth in the Phillies pitching rotation. In his latest outing on Sunday, Blanton threw 8 strong innings, striking out 6, while walking just 1 and surrendering 2 earned runs, improving his record to 7-4. This season in July, Joe is 3-0 over four starts with 22 K's, 5 walks and a 1.21 ERA.

Over his last 6 starts, Joe's ERA is 1.94. As a member of the Phillies, Blanton has a 3.84 ERA after the all star break with a 5-0 record. The Phillies are 20-12 (.625 winning percentage) in games that Blanton has started, since being acquired last July.

Combined this season against other National League playoff contenders St. Louis, Chicago and Los Angeles, Blanton has a combined 1.67 ERA in 4 starts with a 2-0 record.

Blanton is on such a sizzling run that the Bowling Green Hot Rods, a Tampa Bay Rays farm team, will host a Joe Blanton bobble head give away tomorrow. Bowling Green will host Joe's mother, father and sister for the event, as Joe's recent greatness apparently builds up his relatives' celebrity status. A guy really has to be some kind of special stud to have the team he beat in the World Series allow their affiliates to give away promotional items based on him...especially after they c-blocked that opponent's local affiliate from giving away promotional bobble heads based on their own franchise's players.
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More July hotness...

Jimmy Rollins in July- 22 games, 4 HR, 18 RBI, .333 avg. (31-for-93), 1.003 OPS, 20 runs, 7 steals.

Shane Victorino in July- 22 games, 2 HR, 12 RBI, .402 avg. (37-for-92), 1.041 OPS, 20 runs, 4 steals.