PHILADELPHIA — Max Kepler delivered a crucial tiebreaking home run during the eighth inning, propelling the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 triumph over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.
For the Phillies, Cristopher Sánchez contributed an impressive seven innings on the mound, despite the team’s modest total of just four hits. Philadelphia has now secured victory in four of their last five contests. On Sunday, they will aim to complete a three-game series sweep with ace pitcher Zack Wheeler taking the lead.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. provided a key RBI double for Toronto, a team that entered Philadelphia riding the momentum of winning 12 out of their last 14 games but faltered in the first two matchups against the Phillies.
Bryce Harper, the Phillies’ two-time NL MVP, missed the game as he remains sidelined with a wrist injury. The Phillies also relied on Orion Kerkering, who delivered a scoreless eighth inning, and Matt Strahm, who sealed the win with a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the season.
Kepler’s pivotal home run, achieved with one out in the eighth inning, came from a 2-0 fastball traveling at 95 mph off Chad Green’s pitch. He sent the ball soaring into the right field seats, breaking the tie and securing the win for the Phillies.
Earlier in the game, Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis appeared dominant through 3 2/3 innings before trouble struck. He issued a walk to Nick Castellanos and Kepler while hitting J.T. Realmuto to load the bases. After walking Bryson Stott, the score was knotted at one. Philadelphia then surged ahead 2-1 when Otto Kemp was hit by a pitch, which concluded Francis’s day on the mound.
Francis has faced challenges lately, posting a 12.46 ERA over his last three starts, where he has surrendered 12 earned runs in just 8 2/3 innings.
The concluding game of the series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, with Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos set to face off against Zack Wheeler in a bid to reclaim a win in the series.