| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in a run in a losing effort as the Phillies came from behind to edge the Blue Jays 3-2 |
After a brutal shutout loss thanks to a lackluster offence and a rough start from Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series. Bowden Francis got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. George Springer was in RF after DH'ing yesterday (Alejandro Kirk served as DH today). Jonatan Clase was in LF. Davis Schneider got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 9th series loss? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Myles Straw singled scoring Ernie Clement
- The Phillies tied it in the bottom of the 3rd on a bases loaded walk to Bryson Stott that forced in Nick Castellanos
- A batter later, Otto Kemp was hit by a pitch to force in Max Kepler
- Bowden Francis pitching line: 3.2IP1H 2R (both earned) 3BB 4K 74 pitches (41 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 5th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Bo Bichette
- The Phillies took the lead in the bottom of the 8th as Kepler whacked a solo blast to right
- Mattt Strahm pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save of the season
- Final score: Phillies 3 Blue Jays 2
My Take:-
- Bowden Francis battled through 3.2 innings, giving up a pair of runs on a hit while walking 3 and striking out 4. Command was a big issue and that made this start very inefficient. Francis needs a reset. The Blue Jays might want to check him out physically or give him an IL stint just to give him a break and let him work through things. A certain Blue Jays hall of famer, Roy Halladay, was sent all the way back to single-A, where he reworked his delivery, and ended up throwing a perfect game in 2010, winning 2 Cy Young awards and making the all-star team eight times. Francis might need something similar, but running him out every 5 days is not helping him work through the issues he is battling, whether it be mechanical, physical or both. Plus it's forcing the bullpen to pitch even more when the Blue Jays are having bullpen days in Max Scherzer's rotation spot.
- The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2 over the last 4.1innings. Chad Green was tagged with the loss after Max Kepler took him deep. Home runs have been a big problem for Green, who has now allowed 9 this season in 30 appearances, so pretty much one every three appearances. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced.
- Offensively, Myles Straw and Vladdy both drove in a run. Guerrero Jr. has certainly not lived up to his 500 million deal that will kick in next season. 8HR and 30ish RBI won't cut it. He needs to be closer to his 2021 season, where he finished 2nd in AL MVP voting with 48HR and 111RBI.
- The Blue Jays were 1-4 with runners in scoring position.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid, avoid being swept for the 3rd time this season and end the road trip with a win. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Phillies righty Zach Wheeler.