Joe Blanton
Joe Blanton
Joseph Matthew Blantonis an American professional pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Kansas City Royals, and Pittsburgh Pirates...
close couple either gave mixed pitches row singles threw walk
I just gave up a couple of singles in a row mixed with a walk or two. I threw a lot of close pitches that could have been called either way.
pitches strike trying zone
I'm just getting more comfortable all the time. I'm trying to find the strike zone more with my offspeed pitches and my fastballs.
closer definitely step
I'm definitely a big step closer to being ready.
along barry clubhouse few guys help last looked rooting sure
I'm sure everyone in the clubhouse was rooting for Barry to be back. We had some young guys last year, and a few of us looked to Barry to help us along the way.
bunch gets huge
It was huge in a bunch of ways. That could've been a huge momentum-turner if he gets that out.
almost beat blowing home homer pitch runs tough wind
It's a tough place to pitch - especially tonight, the wind was blowing out to right-center. They have some big lefties in their lineup. It's almost like you know you will give up home runs here. You want to make them solo, not let a three-run homer beat you.
against approach facing pitcher pitching
It's one of those where the other pitcher is getting a lot of attention, but I'm not facing him. I'm pitching against their lineup. He doesn't have anything to do with the way I approach the game.
atmosphere good guys keeps loose mix relaxed
It's a loose atmosphere here. I think that's good for a lot of the young guys here, we mix in pretty well and do our thing. It keeps us relaxed and confident.
games last oh quality seven start
Oh ... it's just another game. We still have another (16 games) left. That's when the real important games will be, those last seven of the year. That's when you really need a quality start for your team.
game head simple slow time
It's tough. But you just have to slow everything down when you are out there. You take a little more time between pitches. You just try to slow the game down in your head and don't make it too quick. Make it as simple as possible.
faced game great guy keeping worry
I try not to worry about it. Keeping us in the game is my job. I faced a young guy with great stuff, but there's nothing I can do about it.
coming good last late leave outing spring start time
It's real nice, especially coming this late in the spring. You always want to have that one good outing right before you leave Spring Training, and this is my last start down here, so it was a good time for it.
anyone bit hit quite regular
It was laid-back, but you don't want to give up a run, and you don't want anyone to get a hit off you. You still want to have that bit of intensity, but not quite as much as a regular game.
ball baseball fix helpful middle missing quick reminding trying
I was trying to get the ball in, and he was reminding me of that. In games, I have been missing over the plate. It was helpful to have him out there for a quick fix right in the middle of things.