Phillies Beat the Blue Jays 3-2, Take First Two of Series

The Phillies, who blew out the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays 8-0 in last night’s game, beat Toronto in a very different way, as any lead by either team today was always a one-run lead. The Phillies, though, pulled through to take game two of a three-game series.

After a five-game losing streak, the Phillies have now won four out of five during this home stand, which means a lot considering they are very much still in the hunt against the New York Mets for first place in the National League East.

Another Great Start from Sanchez

Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez, who remains one of the more underrated starters in the National League, had another gem in this afternoon’s game.

Sanchez went seven even innings with five hits, two runs, and five strikeouts for another quality start for the Phillies’ starting staff. The command was there today, with him not giving up any walks to Toronto. Sanchez, in these seven innings, threw under 100 pitches.

Sanchez has become more and more consistent since the start of 2024, which is highly needed in a game like today’s, where the offense seemed to be quiet for most of the game.

Small Ball Takes the Lead

With the weather today in the 60s for the entirety of today’s game, the Phillies were going to need more than the long ball today, as the ball would not carry, which showed in at-bats from Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos, where the ball went to the track.

The small ball came in the fourth inning, with the plate discipline showing up for the Phils. With two outs, three walks, and two hit batters brought in two runners for a 2-1 lead for the Phillies. It wasn’t an ideal way to score for a lineup like Philadelphia, but the discipline at the plate that they demonstrated will be needed down the road, especially in a tight, stressful situation.

Kerkering Continues to Thrive

Orion Kerkering, who had started off slow, has only allowed one earned run to cross the plate in his last 16 innings of relief. This is really important for Kerkering, especially in a game like today’s, where he needed to keep the game tied in the eighth inning. With a strikeout to end the inning, he did exactly that as Kerkering did his job better than he ever has. Kerkering has now lowered his earned run average to 2.63.

The Stars get Shut Down

Despite today’s win, the Phillies’ top half of the order did not play up to par, which perhaps made today’s game closer than it needed to be.

In 17 at-bats today for Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, Castellanos, and J.T. Realmuto, there were no hits recorded. Though not concerning all too much, there have been many times where the top half struggles have become a trend, which at times has cost the Phillies the game despite good pitching.

There is little doubt, however, as these stars have bounced back from performances like these rather quickly.

Kepler Gives the Fightin’s the Lead

The game-winning play today came off the bat from Max Kepler in the eighth inning, with a home run on a 2-0 count. Kepler, who might not be the best hitter on the roster, found a way to connect with a pitcher he struggles against to make it a save situation for Philadelphia, in weather conditions that did not permit the ball to leave the yard.

To the MAX pic.twitter.com/oq6wxtPLo6

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 14, 2025

With the Phillies’ top half of the order not playing up to par at the plate, a hitter like Kepler stepping up big is needed in a game like today’s, where one single swing could change the game.

Phillies Look for Sweep Tomorrow Afternoon

The Phillies look for another gem from Zack Wheeler and a Phillies win in tomorrow afternoon’s game at 1:35.

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