The aren’t going anywhere until the in the batting order start doing damage. On Wednesday afternoon, and finally rose to the occasion. After being missing in action for the better part of six weeks, the cornerstones of the franchise made their presence felt in Philadelphia.
Guerrero finished with three hits, while Bichette delivered a key RBI single and the Jays avoided a sweep. The duo’s performance combined with 6 1/3 quality innings from Chris Bassitt wasn’t enough to salvage the road trip, but at least it helped them earn a series split The Jays head home to lick their wounds following a 4-10 stretch that relegated them to last in the American League East. Bichette entered this game mired in the worst slump of his career.
The two-time all-star was batting .189 with one home run in 33 games, and his .514 on-base plus slugging percentage was the eighth-lowest of any qualified hitter.
Wednesday’s game started in similarly depressing fashion. After Bichette was dropped to sixth in the order, he struck out in the second inning and grounded out in the fourth. Fortunately, there was a chance for redemption in the sixth and Bichette hit an RBI single that broke a 1-1 tie.
and Kevin Kiermaier followed with RBI singles of their own as the Jays strung five hits together as part of a three-run frame off Aaron Nola. That proved to be just enough. Jordan Romano allowed the tying run to reach second base in the ninth before he recorded his fifth save.
The victory came on the hee.
