The Phillies’ winning streak ended at seven games.
We knew that the Phillies weren’t going to keep winning every game the rest of the season. While the Phillies’ play over the past week sometimes made it seem like they’d never lose again, we knew that the winning streak would end at some point.
Some point came on Wednesday afternoon. Chris Bassitt quieted the Phillies’ lineup for 6+ innings, Aaron Nola was merely okay, and the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen held on at the end. The result: A 5-3 loss that halted the Phillies’ winning streak at seven games.
For the first time in quite some time, the Phillies were not the team to score first. In the top of the third, a single by George Springer, a stolen base, and an RBI single by Vlad Guerrero gave the Blue Jays an early 1-0 lead.
Vladdy has hits in 9 of his last 10 games! pic.twitter.com/KwdnszwPAM
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 8, 2024
Seemingly made uncomfortable by the rare deficit, the Phillies answered back quickly. Two walks and a single loaded the bases in the bottom of the third, and a sacrifice fly from Kyle Schwarber brought one of the runners home. However, Edmundo Sosa failed to tag up from second on the play, which proved costly since the ensuing ground out would have likely brought him home.
Aaron Nola held the Blue Jays mostly in check for the first five innings but had a very Nola-ish sixth inning. Four of the first five batters in the inning got hits to put the Blue Jays back on top 3-1. With two outs, Nola exited in favor of Matt Strahm. Strahm surrendered an RBI single to Kevin Kiermaier (who narrowly avoided serious injury when he collided with Daulton Varsho on a pop up in the first) and the Jays extended their lead to three runs.
The Phillies chased Bassitt from the game in the seventh when Alec Bohm singled and Nick Castellanos doubled. Zach Pop came in to face Bryson Stott who hit a sacrifice fly, but that was the only run the Phillies could manage in the frame.
A walk and a couple of well-placed singles against Orion Kerkering gave the Blue Jays an insurance run, which proved valuable when the Phillies mounted a threat in the bottom of the ninth.
Singles by Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos gave the Phillies a couple of base runners, and a double by Bryson Stott got one of them home. The Phillies had the tying run at second base, and it felt like they were poised to extend the winning streak in dramatic fashion. But Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano rebounded to get Kody Clemens and Whit Merrifield to secure the win for Toronto.
It’s always disappointing when a winning streak ends, especially since the Phillies had their chances to win this one. Nola took the loss, but he kept them in the game for the most part. And while Bassitt largely held them in check, they still had some opportunities for big innings.
The good news is, after Thursday’s off day, they’ll travel to Miami for a weekend series against a Marlins team in the midst of a nightmare season. Feels like a good opportunity to start a new winning streak.