Kyle Schwarber's 13th leadoff HR ties the record for most in a season. 💥
Blue Jays were swept for the third time this season as they fell 4-2 to the Phillies
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro - USA Today
Sep 4, 2024, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 4, 2024, 18:34 EDT
For only the third time this season, the Toronto Blue Jays were swept.
On Wednesday, the Blue Jays fell 4-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies, being swept in the two-game series to bring their season record to 67-74.
The Phillies took an early lead in the game, as Kyle Schwarber hit his 32nd home run of the season, and his fourth of the series in the top of the first. It’s probably best if they don’t pitch to him, but they won’t see him again until next season.
Toronto fought back in the bottom of the first though, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his career-high 40th double and was driven in by Alejandro Kirk who hit his 14th double. These were the two runs that the Jays scored in this game.
Alejandro Kirk puts the Blue Jays in front with an RBI double 🙌
Kody Clemens hit a two-run home run in the top of the second to give the Phillies the winning run, while J.T. Realmuto hit a home run in the top of the ninth to give the Phillies some insurance.
Diving into the stats…
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 40th double of the season, a new career-high. His dad, a Hall of Famer, only hit that mark twice in his extensive career. This season, Guerrero Jr. is slashing .328/.400/.564 with 28 home runs in 603 plate appearances for a 170 wRC+. He’s tied for the fourth-highest wRC+ in the league, behind Aaron Judge (217), Juan Soto (181), Bobby Witt Jr. (173) and tied with Yordan Álvarez (170).
Of Toronto’s six hits, five of them were doubles. Alejandro Kirk hit his 14th double of the season, Daulton Varsho hit his 21st double of the season, Brian Serven hit his fourth double of the season, and Davis Schneider hit his 19th double of the season, narrowly missing a home run. Spencer Horwitz had the other hit.
Bowden Francis started the game for the Jays. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a no-hitter in the sixth inning as he did his past two starts, as he gave up a solo home run to Kyle Schwarber in the first inning and a two-run home run to Kody Clemens in the second inning. Still, he finished with a line of 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K in what was a pretty good day.
The bullpen was okay for the Jays. Brendon Little pitched an inning with a walk, Tommy Nance struck out and walked a batter in his inning of work, while Ryan Burr allowed a home run and struck out a batter.
Toronto is off on Thursday, but continues their stretch of games against National League East teams, as they face the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta on Friday. The starters for that game are unknown.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.