Max Kepler delivers in the 8th, Phillies beat Blue Jays 3-2

The Phillies didn’t hit much on Saturday. They didn’t need to. Max Kepler’s solo blast in the eighth inning broke a 2–2 tie and lifted the Phillies to a gritty 3–2 win over the Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park.

The win makes it four out of five for Philly and sets up a potential sweep on Sunday behind Zack Wheeler.

Max Kepler jumped on a 95-mph fastball from Chad Green and deposited it into the right-field seats. It was just the Phillies’ fourth hit of the game, but it was the only one that mattered.

Max Kepler delivers in the 8th

MAX KEPLER. RING IT.#RingTheBell | #Phillies pic.twitter.com/ADaNLuDE7z

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) June 14, 2025

The sounds of South Philly 🔊 pic.twitter.com/aCZvkOP1QR

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 14, 2025

I still don’t have a read on Max Kepler. Over his last 7 games, he’s still just hitting .222 with two home runs and 4 RBI in 18 at-bats. The Phillies need some consistency in the outfield but at the very least, Kepler delivered today for the win.

Cristopher Sánchez was sharp again.

He gave the Phillies seven innings of two-run ball, striking out five and walking none. Orion Kerkering handled the eighth for his fifth win, and Matt Strahm locked down a clean ninth for save No. 3.

The Phillies continue to find ways to win without Bryce Harper, who remains out indefinitely with wrist inflammation.

Toronto, meanwhile, has come back to earth a bit. After winning 12 of 14, they’ve now dropped two straight in Philadelphia and are hitting the teeth of their schedule. Bowden Francis took the loss after unraveling in the fourth.

He walked two and hit two batters, including Otto Kemp with the bases loaded, handing the Phillies a 2–1 lead before getting the hook.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had an RBI double for Toronto, but that was the extent of the Jays’ offense. Bowden Francis has now allowed 12 earned runs in 8.2 innings across his last three starts. That’s a 12.46 ERA. Not ideal.

Up next:

Zack Wheeler gets the ball on Sunday afternoon looking to seal the sweep. He’ll face José Berríos (2–2, 3.38 ERA) in the finale.

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