TORONTO – Toronto starter Bowden Francis began his outing Tuesday with a four-pitch stroll and it went downhill from there.
Trea Turner and Bryce Harper adopted with solo homers because the Phillies stormed out to a six-run lead — sending 11 batters to the plate — en path to an 8-3 victory that ended Toronto’s five-game profitable streak.
“It regarded like they have been on his fastball and also you’ve acquired to make some changes once you see that,” mentioned Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider. “I believe it simply got here all the way down to location actually.”
The sport was primarily over 10 minutes after the primary pitch, spoiling an idyllic spring night for the 32,632 spectators available within the opener of the three-game collection.
Francis emerged as a feel-good story final season with a dominant second half however he has been unable to hold that over into the 2025 marketing campaign.
The best-hander recorded solely 5 outs and has dropped his final 5 choices.
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“They got here out aggressive,” Schneider mentioned. “Plenty of these guys can deal with the ball out over (the plate). However I believe it was simply type of mislocation. They have been on his fastball.”
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Over his closing eight begins final yr, Francis went 4-2 with a 1.33 earned-run common. His 0.60 WHIP (walks/hits per inning pitched) after the all-star break was the bottom single-season post-all-star sport WHIP (minimal 10 begins) in big-league historical past.
Francis flirted with no-hitters on multiple event and was an actual brilliant spot for a crew that completed final within the American League East division.
He has proven flashes of that type this yr however has solely made it previous the sixth inning in one among his 12 begins.
Francis was not made obtainable after the sport to talk to reporters.
Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt have anchored a beginning rotation that’s lacking Max Scherzer (thumb), who’s nonetheless possible at the least a number of weeks away from returning.
Supervisor John Schneider has already been compelled to make use of spot starters and bullpen-game openers for that vacant place within the rotation. A steadying presence within the fourth spot can be most welcome for a 31-29 crew attempting to remain above the .500 mark.
Francis (2-7) allowed seven hits, six earned runs and two walks over his 58-pitch outing. He struck out a pair.
Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez held the Blue Jays to 4 hits and one earned run over six innings as Philadelphia (37-23) ended its four-game dropping skid.
Turner added one other homer within the eighth for his first multihomer sport of the season. The Phillies outhit the Blue Jays 11-5.
Davis Schneider and Addison Barger homered for Toronto. Lengthy reliever Eric Lauer allowed only a single stroll over 4 shutout innings.
Barger, who hit a two-run shot within the eighth, grew to become the primary Blue Jay to homer in 4 straight video games since Teoscar Hernandez in August 2021.
“He’s gifted, and I believe he’s snug with how he’s approaching every at-bat,” Schneider mentioned. “So we’ve seen the instruments for a pair years. And this can be a fairly good run that he’s on.”
Earlier than the sport, the Blue Jays reinstated second baseman Andres Gimenez (quad) and backup catcher Tyler Heineman (concussion) from the injured listing.
Infielder Michael Stefanic and catcher Ali Sanchez have been designated for project.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed June 3, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
