NL Finally Wins All Star Game

As seen on Phillies Nation.

The National League won the All Star Game for the first time since 1996, a year where the game was played at Veterans Stadium and Ricky Botallico was the Phillies only representative. Charlie Manuel led the 2010 NL All Stars to a 3-1 victory over the star studded American League.

Ubaldo Jiminez and Josh Johnson each pitched two superb innings. The American League scored their lone, unearned run against Hong-Chih Kuo.

Aggressive base-running by Scott Rolen eventually paid off. Brian McCann provided the knock with a three-run double with two outs in the seventh. Phillies fans have seen this so many times from McCann, so it was different being on the other side of a McCann clutch hit. McCann was ultimately named the game's Most Valuable Player.

Ryan Howard served as the designated hitter for the National League. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout against David Price. Howard also grounded out.

Roy Halladay pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing two hits and striking out one. Manuel may have misused him in the situation. Instead of bringing Halladay in earlier, Kuo was brought in. Halladay was forced to warm up twice.

Jonathan Broxton closed the doors to secure home field advantage for the National League. Overall, it was a well-played game. In the year of the pitcher, it was only fitting that the All Star Game was dominated by brilliant pitching performances.

David Ortiz was the Home Run Derby Champion.

Blanton Looks to Continue Trend Vs. Braves

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The Atlanta Braves (12-17) play the Philadelphia Phillies (18-11). Kris Medlen (1-1, 2.55 ERA) starts vs. Joe Blanton (0-1, 5.40 ERA).

The Phillies couldn't have asked for more out of Jamie Moyer last night. The 47-year old tossed a two-hit complete game shutout against the Atlanta Braves. Moyer painted the corners and kept hitters off-balanced all night.

Overall, the starting rotation has really picked it up as a whole. With the exception of Roy Halladay, every starter struggled. The last time around the rotation has been a different story. In the last four games, Phillies starters have combined for 32 innings pitched and have given up only 3 earned runs. That is a 0.84 ERA! The entire staff has a 1.83 ERA this May. Joe Blanton looks to continue that trend tonight.

Blanton made his first start of the season last Monday, and pitched much better than his lined indicated (6.2 IP, 4 ER). Brian McCann continues to have eye troubles, but returns to the lineup just in time to face Blanton, who has struggled against the Braves in his career. McCann has Blanton's number; he is batting .375 with two home runs and six runs batted in against Blanton.

Blanton will be opposed by Kris Medlen, who has not made a start since July 12, 2009. The Phillies offense, like the rotation, has picked it up over the last week. They'll try to make Medlen the next victim.

Tonight's Lineup:Victorino (CF), Dobbs (3B), Polanco (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (RF), Ibanez (LF), Schneider (C), Valdez (SS), Blanton (P)

Don't panic. It's just an off day for Chase Utley.

Wet and Wild

This game had it all. A little bit of everything. The Phillies took the rubber match game against the Braves, 12-10.

Both starters, Blanton and Campillo didn't last more than 2 innings as a 1 hour 57 minute rain delay interupted play in the bottom of the second inning. Torrential downpour, severe thunder and lightening storms scattered throughout the area.

Before the rains came, the Braves had themself a 2-0 lead. They would extend that lead in the fourth to 5-0 off Adam Eaton, who came in as relief. However, the Phillies one again proved why they are the Phighten Phillies. They always give a good fight, no matter the score. As a team, the Phillies pounded out 5 homeruns. Coste and Victorino each hit homeruns in the fourth to tie the game. Burrell, Werth and Rollins were the other three Phillies with homeruns. They would take a 12-5 lead.

However, the Braves wouldn't quit either. In the eighth, the Braves batted around to score 5 runs, making it a 12-10 game. But, that was not enough as Brad Lidge closed the doors in the ninth to pick up his 24th consecutive save as a Phillie.

In the process of the game, Braves catcher Brian McCann had to leave the game after a dangerous play at the plate in which Shane Victorino barrelled him over, on an 2 run single by Ryan Howard. Jeff Francoeur made a strong throw to the plate, but McCann never handled the ball correctly. This was not the first collision at the plate. In the first inning, Chase Utley was thrown out at the plate after a collision with McCann. Both plays were not dirty. They were simply playing the game the right way. Unfourtanitly, McCann got hurt.

The Phillies fans showed a lot of class to McCann giving him a round of applause as he walked off the field on his own power. Victorino, as well as Rollins and Burrell, were with him the whole time as the Braves trainer was with McCann on the field. After the game, Victorino gave McCann his best wishes.

The Phillies are now 1 game back behind the Mets who won today, 9-1 behind Johan Santana. The Phillies are off tomorrow, but are back in action on Tuesday in Washington.

On a side note, Philadelphia has a championship!! The Philadelphia Soul beat the defending AFL champs, The San Jose Sabercats, 59-56 in ArenaBowl XXII. Next championship: Phillies!