Blanton Goes Distance as Phillies Top Twins

Joe Blanton pitched his second complete game of the season and Jim Thome homered for the second day in a row to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.

Blanton (6-6) gave up seven hits and struck out seven while going the distance for the sixth time in his career, snapping an ugly string of five straight starts with at least five runs allowed. Ty Wigginton also homered for the Phillies, who took two of three from a Minnesota team that was unbeaten in its previous four series.

Trevor Plouffe homered for the third consecutive day and fifth time in six games for the Twins. Scott Diamond (5-2) gave up four runs and five hits in six innings.

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