Blanton outpitches Santana

Sunday afternoon, Joe Blanton pitched the Phillies to a series sweep of falling fast divisional rival New York Mets.  Blanton(5-4) pitched 7.1 shutout innings and was assisted by three double plays the only times he was in any trouble.  Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley provided the offense each with a solo home run as the Phillies only managed a total of three hits on the day and Brad Lidge got another 1-2-3 save and his 16th save of the season and 2nd of the weekend.  The Phillies will welcome the Cincinnati Reds to Philadelphia for a four game set starting tomorrow night.  Check out Phillies Phandom for more info, and check back tomorrow for the NLEC Series Preview.

The Mets are now 2-8 in their past 10 games and have even lost their last two starts by the team ace, Johan Santana(9-7).  They will look to limp into the All-Star break with a day off on Monday and then a three game set with the 1st place Dodgers, with Manny.  Check out The Real Dirty Mets Blog to get more Mets information.

Another gem from Ricky

Ricky Nolasco must have figured something out during his brief minor league demotion, as he is the pitcher the Marlins expected now.  Ricky Nolasco(6-6) pitched eight innings with twelve strikeouts in a shutout of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon.  The win was his fourth straight decision and the Marlins stayed hot and on the tail of the Phillies with the victory.  With Hanley Ramirez getting a day off the offense was supported by Coughlan, Uggla, Hermida and Baker each getting an RBI a piece.  The Marlins will now head to the west coast, starting with a game with the Giants tomorrow night.

Ross Ohlendorf(7-7) took the loss for the Pirates on Sunday afternoon.

Olsen Delivers

Newly acquired Nyjer Morgan made an immediate impact today in Washington.  Morgan had three hits, a run scored and an RBI during a Nationals 5-3 win on Sunday in D.C.  Scott Olsen(2-4) pitched 8.2 innings, just one short of a complete game as Mike MacDougal came on for the second game in a row to get his fifth save this season.  Nick Johnson and newly named all-star Ryan Zimmerman also had RBI in the game as the last place Nats took two of three from the formerly hot Atlanta Braves.  The Nationals now travel to Colorado for a series starting tomorrow night, CenterfieldGate will have more about the Nats.

Derek Lowe(7-7) has been in a rut of late, and Sunday was no better as he only lasted into the six inning while giving up four runs on ten hits in taking another loss.  A bright spot for the Braves was that Nate McLouth looks healthy and hit a two run home run in the ninth to give the Braves some late hope.  The Braves end the weekend tied with the Mets for third and four games back of the Phillies.  They will go to Chicago for three, to find out more go to The Braves Baseball Blog.