The Toronto Blue Jays are back in the win column.
On Sunday afternoon, they hosted the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin. Thanks to three home runs, they defeated them 5-4. Their Spring Training record now stands at 5-3 with a draw.
For his second consecutive game, Daulton Varsho hit a home run in his first plate appearance, which came in the bottom of the first to put the Blue Jays up by one. The lead didn’t last long, as Kody Clemens hit a home run in the top of the second to tie the game.
However, the Blue Jays got back on the scoreboard thanks to a solo home run on a 3-1 count by Bo Bichette, his first home run of Spring Training. In the top of the fifth, the Phillies scored twice to take a 3-2 lead.
The home run hitting didn’t stop with Bichette though, as Steward Berrora tied the game with a solo home run of his own. Unfortunately, the Phillies answered back with a run in their next half inning, giving them a 4-3 lead for the time being.
Thankfully, the Blue Jays had a clutch bottom of the seventh that won them the game. Leo Jiménez scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. With the bases loaded, Tyler Heineman walked, giving the Blue Jays a 5-4 lead which they held on to.

Takeaways…

Toronto’s lack of power through the first few games was slightly concerning, but as Spring Training has progressed, they’ve found their rhythm. Daulton Varsho in particular is having a great spring, hitting his second home run of the season.
If Varsho isn’t ready for centre field duty to start the season (he could DH), Steward Berroa is my front-runner to start in centre field until Varsho is ready. On top of his home run, he hit a single. He and Bichette were the only players with a multi-hit game.
Other players with a hit were Leo Jiménez, Matt Whatley, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Addison Barger.
As for their pitchers, Max Scherzer started the game and finished with an earned run and four strikeouts through three and two-thirds innings. Bowden Francis had a rough outing, giving up three earned runs in two innings pitched, while their relievers (not named Francis) had a good day. Prospect Alex Amalfi struck out two in his inning of work, Yimi García struck out two and picked up a hold in his inning, and Chad Green picked up the save.
The Blue Jays return to action on Monday to face off against the Detroit Tigers for the first time this spring at 1:05 PM ET. Unfortunately, that game won’t be televised.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.