Game #129 Philadelphia Philliles (69-60) @ Toronto Blue Jays (60-69) - game recap

Aledmys Diaz hit a game-winning 3-run double as the Blue Jays came from behind to defeat the Phillies 8-6

Aaron Sanchez made his long awaited return to the Blue Jays rotation. To make room for him on the roster, the Blue Jays re-assigned lefty Jaime Garcia. Garcia largely failed as a 5th starter and fared no better in relief. Garcia finishes the season with a 3-6 record and 5.93ERA in 25 appearances (13 of them starts). He'll either be traded, sent to the minors or released from his contract in the next ten days. The other unofficial news today was John Gibbons all but confirmed that Troy Tulowitzki is done for the season. It's real unfortunate that the issue was not caught earlier and the heel surgeries could have been done several months sooner. However, the move is the right one as now Tulo can refocus his efforts from trying to rush back to play a few games at the end of the season to preparing to (hopefully) be ready for spring training next year. Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights

• The Phillies took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Roman Quinn scored on a sac fly by Rhys Hoskins
• The Phillies extended the lead in the top of the 4th as Quinn doubled home Asdrubal Cabrera and Maikel Franco
• Two batters later, Hoskins singled, scoring Odubel Herrera and Quinn
• The Blue Jays got on the board in the bottom of the 4th as Kendrys Morales hit a two run shot to center, his 6th straight game with a home run, also scoring Justin Smoak
• Four batters later, Teoscar Hernandez singled home Kevin Pillar
• Aaron Sanchez pitching line: 4IP 10H 6R (all earned) 2BB 2K 86 pitches (54 for strikes)
• The Phillies added a run in the top of the 5th as Jorge Alfaro singled home Cabrera
• The Blue Jays got within one in the bottom of the 7th as Billy McKinney hit a 2 run HR to straightaway center, also scoring Danny Jansen
• Nick Pivetta pitching line: 6.2IP 7H 5R (all earned) 3BB 4K 101 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 8th as Aledmys Diaz hit a bases-clearind doubled that scored Jansen, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Curtis Granderson
• Ken Giles pitched the 9th for his 18th save of the season.
• Final score: Blue Jays 8 Phillies 6

My Take

• Aaron Sanchez had a rough outing his first start back from the DL. He walked the first batter he faced and was lit up in innings 2-4 to the tune of 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk. His command was not there and the Phillies were making him pay for his mistakes all day. His next start should be on the road vs. Miami on Friday.
• Kendrys Morales extended his home run streak to 6 games with a bomb to center in the bottom of the 4th. He is now tied for the team record with Jose Cruz Jr.
• Danny Jansen continues to impress in the early days of his career. Today, he threw out a base runner at second base, got a pair of hits and shook off getting drilled in the arm by a 98MPH fastball to finish the game. Will he play tomorrow? It will depend on how he feels tomorrow morning.
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series sweep to end player's weekend and put a serious dent in the Phillies playoff hopes. Marco Estrada takes the mound in what could be his final start in a Blue Jays uniform against Phillies righty Vince Velasquez