Blue Jays 7, Phillies 1: Philadelphia Loses Ugly at Home

After hitting the Phillies pitching staff hard all game long the previous night, the Toronto Blue Jays picked up where they left off and took the home team out of it before they stepped to the plate Wednesday. Jamie Moyer took the loss, but the Phillies offense did next to nothing to give him a chance.

Moyer tried to give the team some innings, pitching in to the seventh frame. After giving up three runs in the first and another in the second as a result of a Rod Barajas home run, Moyer settled down somewhat. But in the seventh inning a two-run home run that put the Blue Jays up 6-1 was final straw, as Charlie Manuel pulled Moyer and inserted Chad Durbin in relief. Durbin though gave up a solo home run to Scott Rolen.

Jayson Werth provided only the slightest of sparks with a solo home run of his own in the fourth inning. Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley were each 0-for-4, and Raul Ibanez went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts.

You would have thought that the Phillies would have taken advantage of not having to face Toronto ace Roy Halladay, who missed his scheduled start Wednesday night due to a groin strain, but his replacement, Scott Richmond, was feasting on the woeful Phillies offense. Richmond recorded 11 strikeouts in eight full innings. Richmond only walked one batter, and Werth’s home run represented the only run allowed by Richmond. In all, the Phillies recorded five hits off of the starter.

Down six runs in the ninth, the Phillies did manage to make things mildly interesting, loading the bases with one out. But Werth struck out swinging, and Pedro Feliz grounded out to end the ball game.

The Phillies lost another home series and are now really putting themselves under a microscope when it comes to discussing their home record. Joe Blanton will get the start this afternoon as the Phillies try to avoid a home sweep.