Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays will be out to sweep their two-game set from the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night as the Jays try to end their recent struggles.
Toronto had 14 hits Tuesday night in a 4-3 victory over the Phillies in the opener of the Jays’ six-game homestand that followed a 1-6 trip.
Jose Berrios matched his career-best with 13 strikeouts in allowing three runs in six innings on Tuesday to help the Blue Jays end a four-game losing streak. It was only the second win in their past 11 games.
“This win means a lot for us,” Berrios said. “We got that off day (Monday), tried to turn that page. We came today and had the win we had tonight. We want to keep rolling like that through this last homestand before the All-Star break.”
Toronto’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr., had four hits, including the go-ahead RBI double in the sixth on Tuesday. He has hit safely in 17 of his past 20 games, batting .400 (30-for-75) with eight doubles, two homers and 11 RBIs.
Bryson Stott hit his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot, for the Phillies on Tuesday. He also singled in going 2-for-4, his 10th multi-hit game of the season.
The Blue Jays had hoped that right-hander Kevin Gausman (bruised ankle) could start on Tuesday. Instead, he threw a bullpen session with the possibility that he could start Thursday against the Kansas City Royals.
Toronto right-hander Ross Stripling (4-3, 3.34 ERA) is scheduled to start Wednesday against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler (8-4, 2.46).
Stripling is 1-0 with a 5.08 ERA in eight career games (five starts) against Philadelphia. Wheeler is 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA in two career starts vs. Toronto.
Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson became the first Canadian-born manager to manage a major-league game in Canada.
Thomson, a native of Sarnia, Ontario, took over from Joe Girardi, and the Phillies are 24-13 since then despite losing three straight.
“It’s great to be home,” Thomson said before Tuesday’s game. “I love coming back here. I love the ballpark, especially when the roof is open. I’m going to have a lot of family and friends here. It means a lot. It really does.”
Thomson lives in Sebringville, Ontario, about a 90-minute drive from downtown Toronto.
“We’ve been playing well now for a while,” Thomson said. “This is kind of what we expected coming out of spring training. I’m not saying I have anything to do with it.”
Philadelphia recalled catcher Rafael Marchan and called up right-hander Nick Duron from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday. Catcher J.T. Realmuto, third baseman Alec Bohm, and right-handers Kyle Gibson and Aaron Nola were put on the restricted list because they do not meet Canada’s COVID-19 requirements.
Thomson said Bohm, who suffered a dislocated ring finger on his left hand on Monday night, traveled to Miami and will meet the Phillies there on Friday for their three-game series against the Miami Marlins. The Phillies will re-evaluate Bohm on Friday. Thomson said Bohm is still in a “little” bit of pain but that some swelling has gone down in his finger.
Toronto reinstated catcher Danny Jansen from the 10-day injured list (metacarpal fracture) Monday and optioned catcher Gabriel Moreno to Triple-A Buffalo. Jansen started behind the plate Tuesday and was 1-for-3.
–Field Level Media