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.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="“web-content-promocard&quot;"></div>
&nbsp;
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.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Two games = TWO <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpringTraining?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpringTraining</a> homers for <a href="https://twitter.com/DaultonVarsho25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DaultonVarsho25</a> 💪 <a href="https://t.co/bHQbz8RfKn">pic.twitter.com/bHQbz8RfKn</a>
&mdash; Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1896264176043008000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Out of the BALLPARK 😳
Bo&#39;s FIRST <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpringTraining?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpringTraining</a> blast! <a href="https://t.co/cpbC7LmJQO">pic.twitter.com/cpbC7LmJQO</a>
&mdash; Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1896271093503021261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Steward Berroa (1) Spring Training🌴
Opponent: Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher: Orion Kerkering Date: 3/2/25 <a href="https://t.co/NJl9rt0RIN">pic.twitter.com/NJl9rt0RIN</a>
&mdash; TOR Home Runs (@TOR__HR) <a href="https://twitter.com/TOR__HR/status/1896287712438898758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Leo Jiménez scores the game-tying run on a wild pitch! 😎
Catch the rest of the action on Sportsnet! 📺 <a href="https://t.co/6LbHQ6gpIv">pic.twitter.com/6LbHQ6gpIv</a>
&mdash; Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1896294383563268472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h2>Takeaways…</h2>
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.
<hr />
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
<hr />
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="324" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>

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.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="“web-content-promocard&quot;"></div>
&nbsp;

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.

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1896264176043008000

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.

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1896271093503021261

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.

https://twitter.com/TOR__HR/status/1896287712438898758

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.

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1896294383563268472
<h2>Takeaways…</h2>
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.

<hr />

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

<hr />

<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="324" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>

Instant Reaction: Blue Jays hit three home runs in their 5-4 victory over the Phillies

Blue Jays trade deadline target: Dylan Cease

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Ryan O’Hearn (32) gestures following his run-scoring triple during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Recent articles from Ryley Delaney

Breaking News