Blanton's home run goes way beyond righthander's call of duty

In a postseason filled with omens and inexplicable performances, Joe Blanton added himself to the list.

The Phillies righthander provided six strong innings of pitching, but that was just the sidebar to last night's 10-2 win. The real story, the thing that everyone will remember long after this magical season has ended, is what Blanton did with his bat.

Blanton turned on a 2-1 pitch from Edwin Jackson in the fifth inning and muscled a historic home run into the leftfield seats. It was the third hit of his major league life and it was no cheapie.

"I just close my eyes and swing hard in case I make contact," said Blanton. "That's really the only thing I can say."

The Phillies are one win away from their first world championship in 28 years. Like every playoff run, there have been some unforgettable moments along the way. What Phillies pitchers have done at the plate ranks right up there.

There is an argument that the Phils' playoff run began in earnest when Brett Myers induced an unlikely walk from Milwaukee's CC Sabathia in Game 2 of the first round. Myers' adventure began with two wild swinging strikes and ended crossing the plate off Shane Victorino's grand slam.

Myers is 4-for-5 in this postseason and last night he was joined in the offensive-hero circle by Blanton, a lifelong American Leaguer who usually looks like one when he's batting. Last night, in Game 4 of the World Series, was his first home run since high school.

"I told him after his first couple at-bats that he's trying to hit the deep ball," Myers quipped. "I just told him to stay short and sweet like you did in [batting practice] and try to hit the ball back up the middle. I don't think that got through. He knocked the crap out of that ball."

Blanton had one hit in 16 at-bats since the Phillies acquired him on July 17 for three minor leaguers. The uh, slump, dropped him to 2-for-26 (.077) in his career. He raised his career average to .103 last night and - while it's mildly amusing to point out the puny numbers - the fact is Blanton has more hits this World Series than Tampa Bay's Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria.

Blanton became the first pitcher to homer in a World Series since Oakland's Ken Holtzman in 1974. Think about that . . . 1974.

Although they've been using designated hitters in some fashion or another since 1976, the feat is still impressive. That Blanton is the first in 34 years is outrageous.

It was a moment almost as crazy as the notion of a Philadelphia team winning a championship. Even his teammates were caught off guard.

"I jumped up too fast, I almost passed out," slugger Ryan Howard said. "Honestly, I saw it off the bat and jumped up and thought, 'Wow, that ball has a chance.' " *