logo
Instant Reaction: Brandon Valenzuela’s late heroics help the Blue Jays walk off the Phillies
alt
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Jun 10, 2026, 06:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 10, 2026, 04:11 EDT
Comments
The 2026 Toronto Blue Jays had a 2025-esque comeback win on Tuesday night, rallying from down one in the ninth inning to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2.
After Blue Jays closer Louis Varland allowed his first earned run since April 25, the Blue Jays’ offence sprang to life on the backs of their rookies in the ninth inning off Phillies closer Jhoan Duran. 
Trailing 2-1, Jesús Sánchez opened the bottom of the ninth with an infield single that Phillies shortstop Trea Turner was unable to haul in. After Myles Straw pinch-ran for Sánchez and was put in motion, Yohendrick Piñango bounced a single to right field to set up Brandon Valenzuela with runners on first and third with nobody out. 
Daulton Varsho ran for Piñango and stole second to put two runners in scoring position for the 25-year-old catcher. Duran then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Straw to score and tie the game, allowing Valenzuela to come up with the biggest hit of his MLB career to this point. 
Down 1-2 in the count, Valenzuela stayed back on a 99.9 MPH fastball from Duran and drove it to left field for a single to bring home Varsho and push the Blue Jays’ record to 33-35. Valenzuela has been a major bright spot for the Blue Jays this season, helping the club weather the absence of All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk. 
Through 45 games this season, Valenzuela is batting .252 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs. With Tyler Heineman struggling at the plate, Valenzuela has really started to run away with the number one catcher role and is making his case to stay on the active roster when Kirk gets activated in the coming days. Since the calendar flipped to June, Valenzuela is 7-for-21 with three home runs, seven RBIs, and has reached base at a .375 clip. 
Dylan Cease picked up where he left off in his first start after being activated from the 15-day injured list. Cease mowed down the Phillies lineup, turning in a pitching line of 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K, in which was his fourth start this season where he recorded 10 or more strikeouts. 
Through 12 starts, Cease is 3-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. The right-hander has struck out 103 batters over his 68 innings, the third most in MLB. After being signed to the largest free agent contract in franchise history this offseason, Cease has been everything the Blue Jays management could have hoped for. 
The only Blue Jays batter who was able to find success against Zack Wheeler was Sánchez. After Wheeler tossed 5.1 scoreless frames, Sánchez turned on a 0-1 cutter and launched it 396 feet into the Phillies’ bullpen for his seventh home run of the season. 
Sánchez ended his night with a 3-for-4 showing, which raised his season average to .296. After being acquired from the Houston Astros in exchange for Joey Loperfido during spring training, Sánchez has impressed with his bat. More known for his ability to hit the long home run during his years with the Miami Marlins, Sánchez has been a line drive machine and has consistently been a spark amid limited production from a few of the Blue Jays’ stars.
The Phillies got on the board first on Tuesday night when Brandon Marsh roped a two-out double down the right field line to bring home Turner, who had doubled two batters prior. In a loaded Phillies lineup, Marsh has quietly been one of the best hitters on the team. Through 62 games, Marsh is batting .332 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs while also adding five stolen bases. 
The Blue Jays will send Max Scherzer to the mound on Wednesday as they look for their second consecutive series win. The start will be Scherzer’s first with the Blue Jays since April 24 after spending just over five weeks on the IL with forearm and ankle issues. The Phillies will counter with left-hander Jesús Luzardo. 
First pitch is 7:07 p.m. EST at Rogers Centre. 

CHECK OUT OFF THE ROSTER – NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEKDAY

Off The Roster is Toronto sports. Hosted by Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio, this is the go-to morning conversation for everything happening in the 6ix – Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and everything in between. From breakout performances and questionable trades to throwback jerseys, viral moments, and the stories fans are actually talking about—it’s smart, sharp, and never scripted. Live weekday mornings on the Nation Network YouTube channel and available wherever you stream podcasts, the show delivers real opinions, real chemistry, and real Toronto energy. Missed an episode? Catch up anytime. Off The Roster—The new sound of the 6ix.
Editorials
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News