By Canadian Press

Rough sixth inning sinks Jays in 9-6 spring training loss to Phillies

Feb 26, 2025 | 4:24 PM

DUNEDIN — The Philadelphia Phillies scored five runs in the sixth inning and handed the Toronto Blue Jays their first loss of spring training with a 9-6 victory Wednesday.

Philadelphia took the lead in what was a rough sixth inning for Jays pitchers Jacob Barnes and Richard Lovelady.

The Blue Jays turned what appeared to be a rout into a close game with a four-run ninth inning.

Toronto starter Jose Berrios allowed a run and struck out two in two-and-a-half innings, while Barnes picked up the loss.

Substitute designated hitter Eddie Micheletti Jr. had two hits and two runs batted in for Toronto, which fell to 3-1 this spring.

Listen: Learn more about Kin Enterprises

52m ago

budget reaction

No big surprises in provincial budget for Prince Albert

1h ago

AAA Hockey

Mintos Head Coach Doan Smith steps down after one year at the helm

2h ago

Toronto led 2-1 heading into the sixth before the Phillies piled on five runs in a sloppy inning.

Barnes surrendered an opening double to Oscar Mercado, who then stole third. A walk to Trea Turner followed by an R-B-I single by Kyle Schwarber tied the game at 2-2.

Lovelady entered the game and allowed a runner to advance on a wild pitch before hitting Bryce Harper.

Philadelphia then went up 4-2 on RBI singles from Byron Stott and J.T. Realmuto.

A throwing error by Lovelady on a fielder’s choice brought home Max Kepler, and the Phillies scored another on a Gabriel Rincones Jr. groundout thanks to a missed catch error by Jays first baseman Rainer Nunez.

The Phillies scored another in the seventh and two more in the eighth on a Kody Clemens double, and it turned out they would need that padded lead.

Nunez had an RBI double to kick-start the Jays’ comeback attempt in the ninth. Micheletti followed with a two-run single and Michael Stefanic scored another with a sacrifice fly.

But the comeback was ended when Jacob Sharp struck out swinging with runners at second and third.

Toronto went up 2-0 in the second inning. Alan Roden led off with a single and Ernie Clement followed with a double, and they were brought home by back-to-back sacrifice flies by Tyler Heineman and Myles Straw.

The Phillies got on the board when Gabriel Rincones Jr. led off the third inning with a home run.

The Blue Jays next face Baltimore on Thursday afternoon in Sarasota, Fla.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2025.

The Canadian Press