Jays power their way over the Phils

Wednesday – Phillies lose 7-2

Both teams flew back to Philly after Tuesday’s blowout to continue this four game home-and-home set. Jeremy Hellickson took the mound against Jays starter Marco Estrada. Hellickson has been inconsistent this season, not knowing what you’ll get from start-to-start. He was exactly that on Wednesday night, inconsistent. At times he was good – being able to maneuver out of jams, but other times he lacked location. A three run fourth inning hurt Hellickson the most – surrendering two, two-out runs on a Ryan Goins single and a Devon Travis double to make the game 4-1.

Marco Estrada was as a good as advertised. The only Phils hitter he couldn’t figure out was Cody Asche. Asche knocked in both runs for the Phillies en route for a 3-for-4 day.

Estrada’s line excluding Asche’s at-bats: 6.1IP, 2H, 0ER – another punchless night for the Phils.

Hector Neris‘s struggles continued. He entered a 4-2 ballgame in the top of the eighth. The once considered All-Star didn’t make it out of the eighth – allowing three more earned runs to put the game out of reach. Neris’s once eye popping ERA was a minuscule 1.29 on May 29th. It has now ballooned to 3.15.

Thursday – Phillies lose 13-2

Aaron Nola was looking to rebound after a poor start in Washington last weekend. However, the same trend continued as Nola failed to get out of the fourth inning once again. Edwin Encarnacion and Michael Saunders homered in the first inning to open the scoring at 3-o. Encarnacion delivered another big blow with a two-run single in the fourth extending the lead to 7-0. Nola’s combo of not pitching ahead and a flat curveball had the Jays licking their chops. Toronto hit five home runs before it was all over.

The Jays spotted former Phil J.A. Happ three runs before taking the mound, and never looked back. Happ was in control all night going 7 innings without allowing an earned run.

That does it for the Jays this season, thankfully. The Phils will welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to town for another four game set starting Friday night at 7:05pm. Adam Morgan will battle Robbie Ray to get back into the win column.