Rogers makes it hard, then shuts the door
Tyler Rogers turned a routine save into a tightrope act. The Blue Jays reliever loaded the bases twice in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park on Friday, let two runs cross, then coaxed a groundout from All-Star outfielder Brandon Marsh to strand the tying run and finish a 5-4 win over the Phillies.
A crowd of 43,641 sensed a comeback. Philadelphia kept fouling off pitches and dragging the count deep. The rally reached the plate and stopped there.
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Soriano debuts, Kirk does the damage
Jose Soriano made his first start for Toronto, days after the Blue Jays pried him from the Los Angeles Angels before the trade deadline. The front office wanted arms for a postseason push, and Soriano handed the bullpen a lead worth protecting.
Alejandro Kirk carried the offense, going 4-for-5. The catcher keeps stroking line drives while the rest of the lineup presses. Toronto went 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position, a number that should have cost them the game and nearly did.
What it sets up
The Blue Jays grab the opener of the series and hold their ground in a tight American League race. Philadelphia, fighting for its own place in the National League, let a night full of late chances slip away. Toronto will not spend a second worrying about style points. This win counts the same as a blowout, and the bullpen lived to pitch another day.
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