MLB2K9 FRANCHISE BLOG - JBH3's Blog

JBH3's Blog

MLB2K9 FRANCHISE BLOG

Posted on March 9, 2009 at 09:40 AM.

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After falling to Atlanta 2-0 on opening day, but then getting the bats going in the 2nd gm w/ a 9-5 rout of the Braves, it was time for the rubber match.

Joe Blanton

VS.

Jair Jurrjens

Joe Blanton continued his great pitching since the 2008 postseason as he was able to shut-out the Braves, scattering 5 hits over 9.0 IP, and walking none.

Jurrjens had been pitching a good game, but left the bottom of the 4th w/ a lower back strain, stranding Raul Ibanez on 2nd w/ one out. Buddy Carlyle came in relief, but could not get out of the inning without allowing a two run HR to catcher Carlos Ruiz - Philly�s 1st of 3 HRs in this game.

Atlanta threatened in the T5th w/ runners in scoring position and one out, but couldn�t capitalize as Blanton was able to retire the next two batters and get out of the jam.

Heading into the B8th, Philly was still winning 2-0, and it was anyone�s game still, scoreboard wise, because Joe Blanton was very much in control of this one. Rafeal Soriano started the 7th inning, and Philly would open it up in this one, manufacturing a run on a single by Utley, and a Ryan Howard double; scoring Chase from 2nd.

Jayson Werth blasted his 2nd homer of the series, and Philly was up 5-0 w/ no outs. Soriano would end up injuring himself pitching to Raul Ibanez, and had to leave the game.

Manny Acosta came on in relief, and quickly gave up a solo shot to Raul Ibanez to push it to 6-0 Phils. After pinch-hitting the 0-3 Feliz w/ Gregg Dobbs, Dobbs sent a double to the LF gap, but Philly would strand him at second as Acosta retired Ruiz, Blanton, and Rollins who would finish the game 0-4.

Blanton came in to pitch the 9th, and shut-out the Braves. He would be facing the top of the order, and quickly retired Escobar and Chipper Jones. Brian McCann would send a shot to RF and end up getting a triple out of it after it was misplayed at the wall. Francouer wouldn�t be able to get Atlanta a run though, and Philly returned the opening day shut-out to the Braves taking the series 2-1.

Final

ATL 0 5 0 - (Hits: 31bs, 1 2b, 1 3b)
PHI 6 12 0 - (Hits: 61bs, 3 2bs, 3 HRs)

WP: Joe Blanton
LP: Jair Jurrjens (4.0 IP, 2 ER, 3Ks, 0BB)

Player of the Game

9.0 IP 5H 2Ks 0BBs (PC 71-17)

Notes
Jair Jurrjens and Rafeal Soriano would end up on the 15 day DL; Jurrjens w/ a lower back strain, and Soriano an abdominal strain. Jimmy Rollins continues to struggle to open the season, and is 1-12 so far this season. Atlanta struck out 8 Philly batters; Atlanta pitch count (111-36).