(Toronto) Bryce Harper hit two solo homers and the Philadelphia Phillies outscored the Toronto Blue Jays 9-4 on Wednesday.
Jake Cave added a solo home run and a sacrifice fly for the Phillies (66-55), who had lost three games in a row.
Alec Bohm had a one-run single and Kyle Schwarber provided a sacrifice fly.
Aaron Nola (10-8) struck out seven in five innings, giving up four runs, four hits and as many walks.
Matt Strahm, Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto secured the lead.
A two-run homer from Daulton Varsho in the second gave the Blue Jays (67-55) a short-lived lead.
The other two points for the Toronto clan came from a Cavan Biggio single.
In five and a third innings, Kevin Gausman (9-7) allowed seven runs, seven hits and three free passes. He did, however, run into trouble with his slingshot.
“To be honest, at the point where we are with the season, I’m not going to dwell on this game too much,” Gausman said. I look at our file and I feel pretty good with where I am. »
Back-to-back doubles in the second gave the impression that the Phillies could quickly take control of the game, but left fielder Whit Merrifield’s defensive play helped limit the damage.
Castellanos started with a left double, then Bryson Stott got a double with a strike that went over the fence. Merrifield, however, caught the ball with his bare hands before sending it to second base. His speed forced Catellanos to stay at third base.
Gausman then walked Trea Turner, but struck out J.T. Realmuto. Cave then hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Castellanos to cross home plate.
“They were in the World Series last year, so if you give them multiple chances, they’re going to charge you,” Gausman said.
Varsho replied late in the second. He took advantage of a fastball from Nola to hit his 11th homer of the season. Biggio scored on the streak, giving the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead.
Harper himself answered with his eighth homer of the season to tie the game.
Biggio restored the lead to the Blue Jays, but another double from Castellanos closed the gap. A poor defensive stint from Santiago Espinal provided the next two points, which gave the Phillies the lead until the end.
“It was a bit of a weird game with Castellanos running in front of him and Stott trying to get to first,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. It was a rushing throw, but Espinal has been one of our best defensive players since he arrived. »
The Blue Jays begin a three-game series in Cincinnati on Friday.
