| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scored a run and drove in a run in a 4-2 loss to the Phillies |
After the bullpen coughed up another lead, the Blue Jays were looking to avoid being swept for the 3rd time this season, their 25th series loss and 13th season series loss of the season. Bowden Francis got the start with Brian Serven behind the plate. Davis Schneider was in LF, Vlad was at the hot corner and Spencer Horwotz was at 1B. Alejandro Kirk served as DH. Could the Blue Jays avoid being swept for the 3rd time, their 25th series loss, and 13th series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Phillies opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Kyle Schwarber led off with a solo bomb to the 3rd deck in right
- The Blue Jays tied it up in the bottom half of the inning as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Daulton Varsho
- A batter later, Alejandro Kirk doubled home Guerrero Jr.
- The Phillies retook the lead in the top of the 2nd as Kody Clemens smacked a 2-run blast to right and into the Phillies bullpen; also scoring Brandon Marsh
- Bryce Harper left the game prior to the top of the 3rd with a sore left elbow from being hit by a pitch in the 1st inning
- Bowden Francis pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (all earned) 0BB 6K 89 pitches (61 for strikes)
- Cristopher Sanchez pitching line: 7IP 6H 2R (both earned) 0BB 7K 96 pitches (72 for for strikes)
- The Phillies added a run in the top of the 9th as JT Realmuto smacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- Carlos Estevez threw a scoreless 9th for his 24th save of the season
- Final score: Phillies 4 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- After dominating all 5 starts in August and being named pitcher of the month, Bowden Francis crashed backed to earth, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 6 over 6 innings. The Phillies struck early, scoring three times in the first two innings on five hits and a hit batter. Francis settled down after that and retired eleven of the last twelve batters he faced.
- The bullpen, namely Ryan Burr, gave up a costly insurance run on a solo HR off the bat of catcher JT Realmuto. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced
- Offensively, the Blue Jays quickly answered the Phillies run in the 1st inning with back to back doubles from Vlad and Alejandro Kirk.
- Quirky stat of the day: five of the six hits by the Blue Jays were doubles
- The Blue Jays were 2-9 with runners in scoring position.
- Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays head to Atlanta to take on the Braves. The Blue Jays swept the season series in 2023, outscoring the Braves 14-7. Neither team has set their rotation for the series.
