Categories: 2021 Postgame Recaps

Phillies offense scuffles in sloppy loss to Blue Jays

Final Score: Blue Jays 4, Phillies 0

Aaron Nola battled, but the Phillies offense was unable to put anything together in a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. The Phillies drop to 21-19 on the season, and sit a half game behind the New York Mets for first in the NL East.

Aaron Nola bounced back after a rough start in Saturday’s game. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)

It was a tough night for the Phillies lineup, which was shut out for the third time this season. In the field, they committed three errors and had some other misplays that did not show up in the box score.

Additionally, two keys to the lineup — Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto — exited the game early due to apparent injuries.

The Phillies will send Chase Anderson to the mound on Sunday in hopes of winning their second consecutive road series.

Top Plays

The Blue Jays struck first in the bottom of the first inning, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a solo home run for the second straight night to give Toronto a 1-0 lead.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit an RBI double in the bottom of the second to score Cavan Biggio and give Toronto a 2-0 lead.
Two batters later, Reese McGuire hit an RBI single to score Gurriel Jr. and extend the lead to 3-0.

The Phillies were unable to get anything going against Blue Jays starter Anthony Kay. They managed just one hit and two walks against him over four innings, and struck out six time.
Alec Bohm got the team’s first extra-base hit of the night in the seventh inning with a double to right field, but was unable to score despite reaching third with just one out. Jean Segura struck out to end the inning.
The Blue Jays added one more in the bottom of the eighth when a miscommunication between Jean Segura and Nick Maton led to a pop-up falling to the ground. It was a sloppy game for the Phillies, who had three errors and some other misplays.
Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless ninth inning to finish the game for Toronto.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Anthony Kay: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO, 79 pitches

Kay entered the game with a 10.24 ERA across three outings, but he looked great against a Phillies lineup that has had some struggles this season. The Phillies managed just three baserunners against him in an overwhelmingly quiet night from the offense.

Aaron Nola: 6 2/3 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 8 SO, 103 pitches

Nola needed a good start after getting shelled in Atlanta last Sunday. While he strugged in the early innings and got little help from his defense, Nola settled in and put together an impressive start. He kept the Phillies in it, and ultimately the lack of offense kept the team out of the game. Nola now has a 3.64 ERA on the season.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero’s solo home run, which was his second in two nights, was ultimately the difference in this game. The 22-year-old has been excellent thus far in 2021, with an OPS well over 1.000 and 10 home runs.

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