| Bo Bichette was 2-5 with 2 RBI and a run scored as the Phillies doubled up on the Blue Jays 8-4. The Blue Jays would score a third run on a ball batted by Bichette courtesy of a missed catch error |
After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays headed west to take on the other Pennsylvania team, the Philadelphia Phillies.. Last season, the Blue Jays were 3-1 against the Phillies, outscoring the Phillies 33-20. Alek Manoah got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the lineup and at 1B after 2 games and 3 days off to rest a sore wrist. George Springer got the complete day off with Whit Merrifield in RF. Bo Bichette was back in the Field at SS after DH'ing Sunday. Santiago Espinal got the start at 2B and Brandon Belt served as DH. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4 games? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2rd as Bo Bichette singled scoring Kevin Kiermaier
- The Phillies took the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Nick Castellanos hammered a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Bryce Harper
- The Phillies added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Trea Turner singled scoring Brandon Marsh. Turner advanced to 2B on a throwing error by Santiago Espinal
- Alek Manoah pitching line: 4.2IP 4H 3R (all earned) 4BB 1K 94 pitches (59 for strikes)\
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Bichette whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right-center
- The Phillies added a run in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by JT Realmuto that scored Castellanos
- Three batters later, Edmundo Sosa singled scoring Alec Bohm
- Aaron Nola pitching line: 6IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 86 pitches (58 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th as Whit Merrifield scored on a missed catch error by Phillies reliever Seranthony Dominquez on a ball hit by Bichette
- Two batters later, Kiermaier was forced in on a bases loaded hit by pitch. It was Kiermaier who was plunked
- The Phillies added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 8th as Marsh doubled scoring Dalton Guthrie and Realmuto
- Two batters later, Bohm scored on a fielder's choice on a ball hit by Bryson Stott
- Final score: Phillies 8 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Alek Manoah battled through 4.2 innings, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits while walking 4 and striking out 1. All season, Manoah has not been himself. Jose Berrios experienced similar struggles after he got the opening day nod so maybe the pressure got to Manoah and he hasn't been able to recover since. Also, Manoah was pitching to a different catcher most of spring training with personal catcher Alejandro Kirk in Mexico awaiting the arrival of his first child. Further, it's possible that the umpires are getting wise to Kirk constantly pulling balls into the nuddle of the strike zone and aren't falling for the moving glove trick. In some ways, you hope it's one of those reasons and not an injury that Manoah is trying to play through
- The bullpen had a rough day as well, giving up 5 runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 5 over the final 3.1 innings. Erik Swanson fared the best, allowing just one hit while striking out 2 in his innings. Trevor Richards had the worst inning, allowing 3 runs on a hit and 2 walks while striking out the side
- Bo Bichette certainly did his part offensively, factoring in on three of the four runs the Blue Jays scored, driving in a pair (including himself on a solo jack) and a third run scored on an error on a ball hit by him
- The Blue Jays were an abysmal 1-10 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to split the mini series and end the road trip on a winning note. Kevin Gausman starts against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler
