The Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies played their final game of the 2016 season Thursday night at Citizen Bank Ballpark. Jays sent lefty JA Happ (7-3, 3.70) against young Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola (5-5, 2.98).
Nola was coming off his shortest start of the season, 3.2 innings against the Washington Nationals, and he would continue to struggle tonight. He would give up three quick runs in the first, one in the third and four more in the fourth. Nola would be pulled in the fourth having not recorded an out. He struggled all night pitching from behind, missing his location and too many of his pitches were flat and very hittable for the Jays batters.
On the other hand, JA Happ was in complete command all night and only had baserunners go past first in two of his seven innings. His final line was 7 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. Happ was economical with his pitches as he threw 89 pitches/58 strikes over seven innings.. Gavin Floyd and Joe Biagini would pitch the final two innings to secure the win for the Blue Jays 13-2.
The Jays offense continued to pound the Phillies bullpen scoring one run in the seventh on a Kevin Pillar home run, and four in the eighth including Devon Travis’ second home run of the season and Pillar’s second home run of the game, a two run shot.
Top Play of the Game by WPA
The Jays didn’t waste time taking control of this game. In the top of the first, Edwin Encarnacion continued his hot streak. With one out he hit a two run homer increasing the Jays win expectancy by 17.6% Michael Saunders would follow with a solo shot, and the Jays had a 3-0 lead after half an inning and never looked back.
Encarnacion is doing that hot streak thing again. Make it six homers in his last 17 ABs. #BlueJays
— Gregor Chisholm (@gregorMLB) June 16, 2016
Bottom Play of the Game by WPA
In the bottom of the second inning, Blue Jays up 3-0, Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph doubled to centre to lead off the inning. The next batter, catcher Cameron Rupp, lined out to Encarnacion and the Jays doubled off Joseph at second. That base running error would reduce their win expectancy by 9.4 %.
Edwin Encarnacion Stayin’ Hot
Encarnacion continued his career dominance in Philadelphia, hitting his 12th home run in 20 games at Citizen Bank Ballpark. Although, the way he is hitting it really doesn’t matter in what ball park he hits. Over the last week, coming into this game, he had hit .391/.500/1.174, 5 HR, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored. Based on past experience, when Encarnation gets on a hot streak it can last an extended period of time. The Jays are hoping this is one of those situations.
Jose Bautista Left the Game
In the bottom of the seventh, Jose Bautista, while trying to catch a ball in right field collided with the fence. After the play he hobbled off the field and was removed from the game. It was later revealed he had injured his left big toe and was taken for precautionary X-rays. Jays are playing well and wouldn’t want to lose Bautista for an extended period of time.
Blue Jays calling it "left big toe soreness" for Bautista. He's having precautionary X-rays as we speak.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) June 17, 2016
Offense Heating
Like the weather in the month of June, the Jays offense is heating up. Tonight they scored in double digits for the fourth time in the last six games. They hammered five home runs tonight and have 13 in the last three games. Eventually this line up was going to start hitting more consistently and the timing is perfect. It has allowed manager John Gibbons to give some much needed rest to some of the arms in the bullpen.
That's a season high in hits (17) and runs (13) for the #BlueJays tonight.
— Gregor Chisholm (@gregorMLB) June 17, 2016
Up Next
Blue Jays will head to Baltimore to open a three game series against the first place Orioles starting tomorrow night. Aaron Sanchez (6-1 3.38 ERA, looking to bounce back after his rough start vs the O’s last weekend, will go up against Micheal Wright (3-3, 5.31 ERA). First pitch tomorrow at 7:07 PM EST.
Lead Photo: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Biagini pitched the 9th, not Giro do.