Blanton gets the call to start Tuesday vs. Mariners

ANAHEIM -- Prior to Sunday's contest against the Yankees, Angels manager Mike Scioscia announced that Joe Blanton will start Tuesday's game against the Mariners.

Blanton -- who has not pitched since June 9 because the team had Thursday off and didn't need a fifth starter -- spent Friday and Saturday working on some mechanical issues with pitching coach Mike Butcher.

"For a couple days, Joe was going to have to provide some length in the 'pen if we needed it a couple days ago," Scioscia said. "He worked with Butch and hopefully worked some stuff out. He knows what it's about, he knows what he needs to do, and we'll see if he moves forward with it."

Blanton is just 1-10 with a 5.87 ERA on the season, but he has pitched well enough to have at least a few more wins. The right-hander has had six quality starts, but gave up six earned runs on eight hits in five innings of work against the Red Sox in his last start.

While Blanton's sessions with Butcher went well, the leash may be getting shorter. Blanton was selected over Jerome Williams, who is 4-2 with a 3.48 ERA in seven starts this season.

"I think the bottom line is really executing on the field," Scioscia said. "We've been talking about Joe for a while, and he needs to make better pitches and that will lead to better results."