Categories: Gameday 2009Posts

Gamenight: Marlins (21-25) At Phillies (24-19)

Florida Marlins (21-25) at Philadelphia Phillies (24-19)
Andrew Miller (1-1, 4.94 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (2-3, 7.11 ERA)
Time: 7:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Weather: Cloudy, 56
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Twitter: Phillies Nation

A tough homecoming for the Phillies last night, but tonight is a new chance to grab the golden ring. Joe Blanton has the task against the Marlins at a potentially damp Citizens Bank Park.

Blanton was workmanlike for four innings Thursday against Cincinnati, but the fifth inning became a mess of problems. A Brandon Phillips home run did Blanton in, ending his night after five. He’s hoping to get his ERA back below seven and maybe to a season-best number – anything below 6.82. And he’ll get to do it against a group of players he hasn’t faced much. Most is Jorge Cantu, who is only .231 against Blanton.

The Phillies will stare down young Andrew Miller, of whom they’ve not taken advantage. His last start against the Phils was an eight-inning, seven-strikeout performance on June 11. Since, he made a few relief appearances against the Phils with one tough outing. Shane Victorino has hit him well (.455 AVG, 2 HR).

That’s good news for Vic, who was struggling in May but quietly climbing back to normalcy. His average sits at .270, thanks mostly to his good weekend in the Bronx.

Your gamenight beer: Bitter with fruity smell and golden appearance, Staropramen Lager is a Czech pilsner with international flavor. With its low alcohol content (5 percent), it’s perfect for a rainy night such as this. Even if there is no game, you can enjoy a few of these and move on with your night. Enjoy this with a good bowl of chicken noodle soup.

Go Phillies!

Share
Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.

Get throwback Phillies styles from Shibe Vintage Sports in Center City Philly