Phils’ Blanton Hurls Five

CLEARWATER, Fla.—Phillies right-hander Joe Blanton (right elbow) pitched five solid innings against the Blue Jays  Instructional League squad Saturday morning at Bright House Networks Field.

     “It’s good,” said Blanton of his elbow, “I threw four innings in one game down here and five innings in another, throwing all my pitches so I am feeling pretty confident.”

Allowing just one run over the five innings with a consistent 90 MPH fastball is looking at a restful off season.

     “I’m just going to give it a rest,” said Blanton who is owed $8.5 million in 2012, “Keep playing catch a bit, doing it light.  I’m feeling good about my mechanics for the most part and the way my arm has felt.  Now I will just try to keep it going, keep it healthy and be ready for next year.”

     Blanton is disappointed about his 2011 season that saw him post just a 1-2 record with a 5.01 era.

     “It was,” said Blanton of disappointing 2011 season, “It kind of came about in spring a little bit and I just thought it was  some spring training things you work through then it kind of got worse when the season started.  It gradually kept getting worse and worse and I tried to rest it.  It didn’t get better, then I rested it some more and it still didn’t get better again.  So for whatever reason I guess time was what it needed more than anything.”

     With a good rest during the off season Blanton expects to be ready for 2012.

     Saturday was the last day for the 2011 Phillies Instructional Camp.