The Philadelphia Phillies saw their impressive home winning streak come to an end on Wednesday afternoon, as they fell to the Toronto Blue Jays by a score of 5-3. The loss marked the first time in 24 days that the Phillies had been defeated at Citizens Bank Park, and it resulted in a split of their two-game series with the Blue Jays.
Despite the loss, the Phillies still boast the best record in baseball at 26-12, and they have tied or won each of their last 10 series, a feat not accomplished by the franchise since 1995. The team’s recent success has been a testament to their strong starting pitching, timely hitting, and solid defense.
Nola’s Rough Outing
Phillies starter Aaron Nola, who recently signed a lucrative 7-year, $172 million contract extension, struggled on the mound against the Blue Jays. The right-hander allowed just one run through his first five innings but ran into trouble in the sixth.
After surrendering an infield single to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a fielder’s choice to Justin Turner, Nola gave up a double to catcher Danny Jansen and consecutive singles to shortstop Bo Bichette and second baseman Davis Schneider. These hits allowed the Blue Jays to take a lead they would not relinquish.
Nola’s final line included 5 2/3 innings pitched, nine hits allowed, and 96 pitches thrown. The ace attributed his struggles to an inability to locate his fastball down in the strike zone, stating, “I was just battling out there. Obviously, I’m trying to get the ball down. That’s what got me to this point.”
“I made a couple mistakes. Jansen hit that ball hard down the (first base) line and Bichette hit that ball pretty hard right over (first baseman Bryce Harper) and then I missed a couple spots.” – Aaron Nola
Offense Stymied by Bassitt
The Phillies’ usually potent offense, which had been averaging nearly seven runs per game, was held in check by Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt. Despite entering the game with a 2-5 record and a 5.45 ERA, Bassitt effectively kept the Phillies’ hitters off balance throughout his outing.
Manager Rob Thomson acknowledged Bassitt’s strong performance, saying, “He was keeping us off balance. Got to give him credit. He pitched well.”
The Phillies threatened in the ninth inning, putting runners on second and third, but ultimately fell short. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber remarked on the team’s missed opportunities, stating, “We were one swing away. We’ve been playing some really good baseball. There are going to be times when you get beat. Straight up. That’s the beauty of this game, right? Obviously, we wish we’d gone out and executed a little bit more on the offensive side, especially against Bassitt. But sometimes you have to tip your cap.”
Maintaining Perspective
Despite the loss, the Phillies remain in an excellent position overall. The team’s 11-game home winning streak, tied for the seventh-best in franchise history, is a testament to their strong play at Citizens Bank Park this season.
Manager Rob Thomson emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective, noting how much the team’s outlook has changed since their last home loss on April 14. “We’ve really played well,” Thomson said. “We’ve played well on the road, too. This was one of those days, but I’m really happy where the club’s at right now.”
As the Phillies head to Miami for a weekend series against the last-place Marlins, they will look to bounce back from this minor setback and continue their impressive start to the 2023 season.
Key Takeaways
- The Phillies’ 11-game home winning streak, tied for the seventh-best in franchise history, comes to an end with a 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays.
- Despite the loss, the Phillies maintain the best record in baseball at 26-12 and have tied or won each of their last 10 series.
- Starter Aaron Nola struggled, allowing nine hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings, citing issues with locating his fastball down in the strike zone.
- The Phillies’ offense, which had been averaging nearly seven runs per game, was held in check by Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt.
- Manager Rob Thomson and the team remain optimistic about their overall performance and position, despite the loss.
test
