Phillies pitching implodes in 18-11 loss to Blue Jays
Phillies pitching gave up a total of 21 hits, including two 3-run home runs in an 18-11 loss to the Blue Jays; their 5th straight overall.
Blue Jays (84-64) Beat Phillies (80-67)
- Winning Pitcher: Zach Pop (3-0, 3.21)
- Losing Pitcher: Kyle Gibson (10-7, 4.71)
- Save:
Only 15 games to go following this sad excuse for a baseball game by the Phillies. From the look of it, you would have no idea this team is still fighting for a playoff spot. The pitching and defense tonight was straight-up abysmal and I don’t think it’s crazy to start questioning whether this team is finally initiating their annual September collapse.
The only reason I remain optimistic is that the Brewers are even worse than the Phillies. Normally neither of these sorry teams would make the playoffs but because of the rule changes implemented this season, we are going to celebrate mediocrity in October.
After only managing to score 7 total runs in the weekend series in Atlanta, the Phillies’ offense came alive on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, the 11 runs were not enough to cover for a Phillies pitching staff that got torched for 21 total hits in the 18-11 loss.
Kyle Gibson allowed 7 runs and a staggering 12 hits in only 5 innings of work. Gibson was bad, but the Phillies’ defense certainly paid him no favors. A defensive error punctuated a 3-run 1st inning that ended in a Matt Chapman home run. Two additional defensive errors in the 5th and 9th innings also led to eventual Blue Jays runs.
In total six Phillies pitchers took the mound on Tuesday and backup catcher Garrett Stubbs was the only one that did not allow a run.
Thankfully for the Phillies the Milwaukee Brewers also lost tonight which means their lead for the final wild-card spot remains 2.5 games.
Zack Wheeler is to take the mound tomorrow after missing nearly a month with fatigue in his throwing arm. I feel like I have been saying this a lot of late, but the Phillies could really use a vintage start in their #1 starter’s return.
Matt Chapman takes Kyle Gibson deep for a three-run home run in the opening inning. Pain.
3-0 Blue Jays
Alejandro Kirk adds an RBI single off Kyle Gibson in the 2nd to extend the Blue Jays big early lead.
5-0 Blue Jays
Danny Jansen knocks in another run in the 3rd with an RBI double to left center field.
6-0 Blue Jays
Dalton Guthrie puts the Phillies on the board with his first career big league home run.
7-1 Blue Jays
Bryce Harper cuts into Toronto’s lead with an RBI single in the 5th inning. That’s all she wrote for Jays starting pitcher Ross Stripling.
7-4 Blue Jays
JT Realmuto makes it a two-run ballgame with an RBI single in the Phils big 4-run 5th inning.
7-5 Blue Jays
Bryce Harper gets doubled up at 2nd base to end the Phils scoring threat in the 5th inning.
Teoscar Hernandez with another RBI in the 8th off Sam Coonrod.
11-5
Raimel Tapia adds drives in two more runs with an RBI double in the 8th inning.
13-5
Kyle Schwarber cuts the Jays lead to 4 runs with a huge 3-run blast in the 8th inning.
14-10
University of South Carolina legend and 2-time College World Series Champion Jackie Bradley Jr. rips a three-run home run off Brad Hand in the 9th.
18-10
Matt Vierling pops up to end a terrible, terrible game.
Blue Jays Win 18-11
Up Next for the Phillies
The Phillies will look to snap their 5-game losing streak when they take on the Toronto Blue Jays in the final game of a quick two-game set at Citizens Bank Park.
Zack Wheeler (11-7, 3.07) will toe the rubber facing off against Kevin Gausman (12-10, 3.45) with the first pitch scheduled for 6:45 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will carry the broadcast of the game. It is also the MLBtv Free Game of the Day.
Mandatory Photo Credit: AP
