EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Lidge Scheduled To Pitch Tonight, Blanton Scheduled For Wednesday

Published on April 27, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Brad Lidge, who is on the disabled list due to offseason surgery on his right knee and elbow, will continue along with his rehab assignment tonight, as he is scheduled to take the mound for the Reading Phillies as they play a doubleheader with the Harrisburg Senators at FirstEnergy Stadium, with first pitch of game one set for 6:35 p.m. Lidge, 33, will join fellow Philadelphia pitcher Joe Blanton, who will start the 6:35 p.m. contest for the R-Phils, as they host the Senators in the finale of their three-game series on Wednesday.

Tickets to tonight's game, as well as Wednesday's game are still available and can be purchased at the FirstEnergy Stadium box office, by phone at (610)-375-8469, or online at readingphillies.com.

Lidge, who began his rehab stint with Clearwater (A) on April 10, made five appearances for the Threshers, allowing five runs over 4.2 innings. Last Thursday evening, the right-hander continued with his Major League rehab, and took the hill for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA). He tossed one inning of work, allowing no runs, no hits, and one walk. A night later, he took the hill in Reading and threw 20 pitches over a scoreless inning of work.

Blanton began his current rehab stint Tuesday evening for Lakewood (A), fanning two batters over two scoreless innings. He threw 13 pitches and retired all six batters he faced in his first rehab appearance of 2010. Three days later, he made a start for the R-Phils -- tossing three scoreless innings. He is scheduled to continue with his rehab and pitch for the R-Phils on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series with the Harrisburg Senators.

The 29-year-old right-hander, who has been on the disabled list since March 26, was originally acquired by Philadelphia in July 2008 from the Oakland A's in exchange for infielder Adrian Cardenas, pitcher Josh Outman, and outfielder Matthew Spencer. At the time of the trade, Blanton was 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA for the A's, but quickly became an important part of the Philadelphia Phillies World Series team. He posted a 4-0 mark with a 4.20 ERA, helping the Phillies to their first World Series win since 1980.

Tuesday's doubleheader also features Nationals highly-touted pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg, who will start game one. Strasburg, 21, made his first official Minor League start earlier this season in Altoona against the Curve on April 11. The 6'4", 220 pound righty allowed four runs (one earned), two walks, and four hits over five innings to earn his first career Minor League victory. He fanned eight batters on the evening, and continued to make headlines over his next two outings -- the last of which was against the R-Phils in Harrisburg on April 21.

Tuesday's game will also feature two R-Phils All-Decade Team Player Photos, due to Monday's postponement. Outfielder Michael Taylor, last year's Eastern League Rookie of the Year, is the third photo in the series, and the first 500 adults who enter FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday evening will receive this collectible item. The first 500 adults will also receieve Monday's All-Decade Team Player Photo #2, Jason Donald. Tuesday night is also another Academic All-Stars program, thanks to Kutztown University. The Academic All-Stars Program is an opportunity for schools to recognize and reward students for a variety of achievements made in the classroom. For more information, please visit readingphillies.com.

For tickets to Tuesday's game, as well as tickets to any game during the 2010 season, presented by Pepsi, fans can call (610) 375-8469, visit the Reading Phillies official website at www.readingphillies.com, or purchase tickets in person at the FirstEnergy Stadium box office. Fans can also add the all-you-can-eat Deck Buffet to any ticket for only $11. "Bring the Fam to America's Classic Ballpark".

Check out the Reading Fightin Phils Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from April 27, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central