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| Brandon Valenzuela drove in the winning run in a 3-2 comeback walk-off win over the Phillies |
After a loss yesterday due to Patrick Corbin imploding, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and avoid their 9th series loss of the season. Dylan Cease was activated from the 15-day IL (and got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate) and Adam Macko was optioned to AAA-ball. George Springer got the full day off with Vlad getting the half day off as DH and Chatles McAdoo at 1B. Jesus Sanchez was in LF, Nathan Lukes was in CF and Yohendrick Pinago was in RF. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 9th series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Phillies opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Brandon Marsh doubled scoring Trea Turner
- The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 6th as Jesus Sanchez belted a solo jack to right-center
- Dylan Cease pitching line: 6IP 3H 1R (earned) 1BB 11K 93 pitches (60 for strikes)
- Zack Wheeler pitching line: 6IP 6H 1R (earned) 0BB 5K 96 pitches (60 for strikes)
- The Phillies took the lead in the top of the 9th as Bryson Stott doubled scoring Bryce Harper
- The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning on a wild pitch by Jhoan Duran that scored Myles Straw
- Same batter, Brandon Valenzuela singled scoring Daulton Varsho
- Final score: Blue Jays 3 Phillies 2
My Take:
- Dylan Cease fired 6 strong innings, giving up a run on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 11. He had out streaks of 7 and 8 batters. Cease has been the Blue Jays best starting pitcher and a great off-season signing by Ross Atkins. He should be considered for the all-star game.
- The bullpen gave up a run on 2 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4 over the last 3 innings. It's amazing how often a leadoff walk comes back to bite a pitcher in the ass. Louis Varland, who should not only be an all-star, he should be the reliever of the year, walked Bryce Harper on 4 pitches to start the 9th, saw him score when Bryson Stott lined a double opposite field. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to a nice swing on a solid pitch. Mason Fluharty retired every batter he faced
- The offense came through when it mattered with a 2-run rally in the 9th. Brandon Valenzuela will only get credited for one RBI, but he played a huge role in Myles Straw scoring on the wild pitch to tie the game by waving the pinch runner home. Jesus Sanchez took starter Zack Wheeler deep for the other Blue Jays run on the day. Vlad hit leadoff and the move didn't really work with him going 1-4 on the day.
- Harper was successful on the Phillies only ABS challenge while the Blue Jays were 1-1 on ABS challenges
- The Blue Jays were 1-3 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 10th series win of the season. Max Scherzer starts against Phillies lefty Jesus Luzardo
