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| Jose Berrios threw 6 strong innings and struck out 13 batters in a 4-3 victory over the Phillies to snap a 4-game losing streak |
After a sorely-needed off day yesterday, the Blue Jays returned home to open a mini 2-game set against the Phillies to start the unofficial final week of the first half of the season. The Blue Jays won 2 of 3 against the Phillies last season and outscored the Phillies 15-13. Philadelphia is expected to be without several key unvaccinated players. Danny Jansen was activated off the 10-day IL and Gabriel Moreno was optioned back to AAA-ball to play every day. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Jansen behind the plate. George Springer was back in the field after DH'ing Sunday. Alejandro Kirk served as DH tonight. Could the Bluer Jays snap the 4-game losing streak and start the final week before the all-star break with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Teoscar Hernandez double scoring George Springer and Bo Bichette. Hernandez was thrown out at 3rd base trying to stretch the double into a triple to end the inning
- The Phillies got one back in the top of the 2nd as Odubel Herrera singled scoring Bryson Stott
- Andrew Bellatti pitching line: 1IP 2H 2R (both earned) 1BB 2K 19 pitches (11 for strikes)
- The Phillies tied the game in the top of the 4th as Stott whacked a solo blast to right
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 4th as Matt Chapman doubled scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- The Phillies tied the game in the top of the 5th as Nick Castellanos singled home Garrett Stubbs
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom of the 6th on a ground-rule double by Gurriel Jr. that scored Alejandro Kirk
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (all earned) 0BB 13K 94 pitches (74 for strikes)
- Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 9th for his 19th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 4 Phillies 3
My Take:
- Jose Berrios was excellent tonight, throwing 6 strong innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 13. Berrios retired the first 5 batters he faced, then 6 in a row after allowing 3 straight hits. Having the veteran Danny Jansen behind the plate paid immediate dividends. As great as Moreno played the last few weeks, the pitchers know Jansen better and vice versa. Jansen knows what pitches to call and when based on how the pitcher is doing on a given day and their strengths/weaknesses.
- The bullpen was excellent tonight, giving up just 1 hit. Tim Mayza had to survive a challenge on the first out that was upheld. It's amazing what a day of rest can do for bullpen effectiveness
- Offensively the Blue Jays took the lead right off the hop on a 2-run double by Teo. The Phillies came back twice and both times the Blue Jays responded with a run fairly quickly
- Every Blue Jay starter had at least one hit
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to sweep the mini series. Ross Stripling starts against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler
