Marlins 1 - 3 Phillies
Final
  for this game

Blanton, Phillies top Marlins

Apr 13, 2012 - 3:12 AM

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Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Joe Blanton pitched seven strong innings in his first start of the season and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Miami Marlins, 3-1, in the finale of a three-game series Thursday night.

Blanton (1-1), who lost in a relief appearance Saturday at Pittsburgh, gave up a run on just three hits and a walk with three strikeouts.

Shane Victorino and Ty Wigginton hit leadoff home runs three innings apart and Jonathan Papelbon picked up his second save for the Phillies, who won the last two games of the series.

Papelbon gave up two singles, but got John Buck on a double play to end the game.

Mark Buehrle (0-2) pitched 6 1/3 innings in his second National League start, giving up three runs on eight hits with two strikeouts. The 33-year-old lefty lost his first NL start last Thursday at Cincinnati.

Florida had six hits and went 2-4 on a six-game road trip.

Blanton was the fifth Phillies pitcher to make a start this season after Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Vance Worley and only the second one to earn a win -- Halladay has the other two.

Manager Charlie Manuel was happy with the start and said it bodes well for the team's talent-rich rotation.

"It means that our five-hole's better," said Manuel.

The first nine Phillies hitters went down in order before Victorino's homer to left field on an 0-2 pitch leading off the fourth inning. Jimmy Rollins hit a one-out single, but was thrown out at home plate trying to score on Hunter Pence's double. Pence scored on John Mayberry's single one pitch later to make it 2-0.

Blanton gave up a one-out double to Buck in the third inning -- the only Marlins baserunner until Omar Infante hit a two-out double in the fifth, then scored on Buck's single.

Wigginton pushed Philadelphia's lead back to two with a homer leading off the seventh. He fouled off three straight before driving a 1-2 pitch deep into the left field seats for his first home run as a Phillie.

Buehrle came out for Randy Choate after giving up a one-out single to Freddy Galvis. Acting Marlins manager Joey Cora said Buehrle has pitched well in both of his starts this season without much help.

"He gave us a chance to win," said Cora, "we just couldn't score for him."

Chad Qualls replaced Blanton to start the eighth and escaped a jam by getting Giancarlo Stanton on a called third strike with runners at first and second.

Game Notes

The Phillies start a three-game weekend series with the visiting Mets on Friday...The Marlins begin a three-game series at home against the Astros on Friday.






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