Disastrous sixth inning sinks Phillies in third consecutive loss

Final: Blue Jays 9, Phillies 8

After two frustrating games, it looked like the Philadelphia Phillies would come through with a win in Game 2 of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays behind a seven-run first inning.

But, after carrying a five-run lead into the bottom of the sixth, Vince Velasquez and the Phillies bullpen unraveled, allowing the Blue Jays to score seven of their own and ultimately win the game.

Top Plays

• The Phillies loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning against right-hander Trent Thornton, and — unlike in Wednesday’s game in Boston — they were able to capitalize. They scored seven runs on six hits in the frame, with RBIs from Didi Gregorius, Alec Bohm, Neil Walker, Andrew Knapp and Andrew McCutchen.
• McCutchen came through with the big hit in the inning, lacing a two-out, bases-clearing double over the head of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez.

Jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the first inning on the road sure is nice! pic.twitter.com/BzQgBPJdCn

— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) August 20, 2020

• In the bottom of the inning, Vince Velasquez surrendered a two-out, two-run home run to Hernandez that cut the Phillies lead to 7-2.
• After an eventful first inning, the game settled down through the end of the fourth. Velasquez allowed just one baserunner after the first inning, and the combination of Jacob Waguespack and Shun Yamaguchi did enough to keep the Phillies off the board
• The Phillies threatened against Yamaguchi in the top of the fifth. Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm both walked, but Bruce and Walker struck out to end the frame.
• After striking out the side in the bottom of the fifth, Velasquez stayed in the game and gave up a long home run to Rowdy Tellez to make it a 7-3 game. Velasquez then exited the game after giving up a single to Hernandez.

Blue Jays come within four. pic.twitter.com/yLuffviHXL

— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) August 20, 2020

• Connor Brogdon came in for Velasquez and, after walking Vladimir Guerrero Jr., surrendered a three-run home run to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. that cut the Phillies lead to one.
• Hector Neris came in with just one out in the sixth, and pitched well enough to get out of it with the Phillies still holding the lead. But errors by Scott Kingery and Didi Gregorius, followed by a wild pitch by Neris, led to the Blue Jays tying the game at 7.

The play that tied the game. pic.twitter.com/PzmkK3G7oO

— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) August 20, 2020

• Tellez, who hit the home run to start the inning, singled to center to score two and give the Blue Jays a 9-7 lead before Neris exited in favor of Reggie McClain, who finished the inning without any further damage.
• Anthony Kay, who came in to pitch in the sixth inning, tried to close the seventh inning out for the Blue Jays. However, he allowed a single to Didi Gregorius and a two-out double to Alec Bohm to give the Phillies runners on second and third.
• A.J. Cole came in to face J.T. Realmuto, who reached on an RBI infield single that made it 9-8. Cole then struck out Roman Quinn to end the game.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Trent Thornton: 2/3 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

It was a tough game for Thornton, who exited after only recording two outs. Some of the hits by the Phillies were bloops that fell in, but some were hit hard. Blue Jays pitching did well once Thornton exited the game, allowing a combined total of just two earned runs on four hits.

Vince Velasquez: 5 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 HR, 79 pitches

After surrendering a first-inning home run, it looked like it might be more of the same for Velasquez, who has struggled so far this season. He then settled down, allowing just one hit over his next four innings of work, and it looked to be an encouraging start. But Velasquez came back out in the sixth and opened the door for the Blue Jays to come back.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Rowdy Tellez

Tellez’s sixth-inning home run gave the Blue Jays life, and his single that came later in the inning gave them a 9-7 lead.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Friday, Aug. 21 vs. Atlanta Braves, Truist Park, 7:05 p.m.
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• SportsRadio 94 WIP

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