Alejandro Kirk has winning hit in ninth inning as Blue Jays beat Phillies 2-1

TORONTO (AP) — Alejandro Kirk drove in the winning run in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a one-out single off former teammate Jordan Romano (0-2) and stole second base. Addison Barger struck out but Kirk won it with a line drive that hit off the wall in right field.

Former Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman (5-2) got one out for the win.

Nick Castellanos opened the scoring with a solo home run off Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios in the second.

Toronto chased right-hander Mick Abel and tied it in the sixth when Bo Bichette’s triple scored Andres Gimenez.

The run was the first allowed by Abel in his brief big league career. Abel struck out nine in six shutout innings to win his major league debut against Pittsburgh on May 18 as the Phillies beat Pirates star Paul Skenes to finish a three-game sweep.

Against the Blue Jays, Abel allowed one run and three hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked none for the second straight start.

Abel is the first pitcher in at least the last 125 seasons with 5-plus innings, no walks and one or zero runs allowed in each of his first two MLB appearances.

The Phillies recalled Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier Wednesday. He took the roster spot of righty Zack Wheeler, who went on the paternity list.

Berríos allowed one run and four hits in six innings.

Key moment

Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto exited in the bottom of the ninth after being hit in the area of his protective cup by Bichette’s foul tip. Realmuto stayed down for a few minutes before walking gingerly off the field. He was replaced by Rafael Marchan.

Key stat

The Phillies fell to 29-8 when scoring first.

Up next

Phillies LHP Jesus Luzardo (5-1, 3.58 ERA) is scheduled to start against Blue Jays RHP Chris Bassitt (5-3, 3.80) in Thursday’s series finale.

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