Rhys Hoskins hit a go-ahead three-run double in the seventh inning and the visiting Philadelphia Phillies went on to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 at Dunedin, Fla., on Friday night.
The Phillies had only two hits in their five-run seventh. Alec Bohm added an RBI double and the Blue Jays relievers walked four.
Bryce Harper reached base five times for Philadelphia with three walks, a single and a double. Hoskins had three hits.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s home run gave Toronto a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning of the opener of a three-game series.
Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez allowed one run, three hits and three walks while striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings.
Blue Jays left-hander Steven Matz allowed four hits and three walks in five run-less innings. He struck out nine to match his season best.
The Phillies loaded the bases with two out in the third on Jean Segura’s double and two walks, but J.T. Realmuto grounded out to end the threat.
Trent Thornton (1-1) replaced Matz in the sixth and pitched around a leadoff single to Hoskins by inducing a double-play grounder from Bohm.
Guerrero hit his ninth homer of the season with one out in the bottom of the sixth. After Randal Grichuk hit a two-out single, Connor Brogdon (4-1) replaced Velasquez.
Andrew Knapp walked to open the seventh. Segura walked with two out and Thornton was replaced by Tim Mayza, who walked Harper and Realmuto to force in the tying run. Hoskins cleared the bases with a double. Bohm doubled against Jeremy Beasley and the Phillies led 5-1.
Sam Coonrod pitched a perfect bottom of the seventh. Jose Alvarado overcame two walks in the bottom of the eighth when Teoscar Hernandez lined into a double play.
Hector Neris pitched around a hit batsman and a single with three strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth.
The Blue Jays put reliever Ryan Borucki (left forearm flexor strain) on the injured list on Friday.
The Phillies reinstated Realmuto from the COVID-related IL on Friday. Enyel De Los Santos was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
–Field Level Media