joe blanton

Philadelphia pitcher Joe Blanton pitches against the Florida arlins during the first inning of the Phillies 6-4 victory.

Buster Posey drove in a pair of runs and fellow San Francisco rookie Madison Bumgarner held Philadelphia scoreless through three innings as the Giants took a 2-0 lead over the Phillies in Game 4 of the NL championship series Wednesday night.

Posey hit a two-out RBI single in the first inning off Joe Blanton and a two-out, run-scoring double in the third for the Giants, who lead the series 2-1.

For the second consecutive year, Joe Blanton is on the mound for Game 4 of the World Series. The Yankees counter with CC Sabathia on short rest.

Joe Posnanski is blogging the action.

CC Sabathia actually likes starting on three days' rest. "I hate to throw bullpens," the New York Yankees big man said.

"I don't have to throw a bullpen when I pitch on three days' rest." Sabathia will throw on short rest for the second time this postseason when he starts Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday night against Philadelphia's Joe Blanton.

Joe Blanton was picked to start Game 4 of the World Series for the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Manager Charlie Manuel said Friday he will go with Blanton against the New York Yankees rather than ace Cliff Lee on short rest.

Lee, who has never pitched on three days' rest, is slated to start Game 5.

Pedro Martinez is getting the ball and the call in another big game. Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel chose the aging right-hander over J.A.

Happ and Joe Blanton, who made cameo appearances out of the bullpen Thursday, to face the Colorado Rockies in Game 3 of their NL playoff series Saturday night.

Joe Blanton said he approached his matchup against Josh Johnson like any other, and for the Philadelphia Phillies, that worked fine.

MIAMI(AP) Joe Blanton said he approached his matchup against Josh Johnson like any other, and for the Philadelphia Phillies , that worked fine.