Philadelphia @ Toronto preview
Rogers Centre
Last Meeting ( Mar 26, 2011 ) Toronto 7, Philadelphia 6
THE STORY: The Toronto Blue Jays will attempt to rebound from a series loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday as they celebrate Canada Day by hosting the Philadelphia Phillies in an afternoon matinee. Toronto has dropped three of four and seven of its last 11 games. The Blue Jays are 7-8 in interleague play this season, including a 2-4 mark at home. Philadelphia allowed one run in winning the first two games of its series with the Boston Red Sox before suffering just its fifth loss in 18 contests in the finale on Thursday.
TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (4-4, 3.23 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (7-7, 2.74 ERA).
Kendrick makes his sixth start of the season and fourth in five appearances as he moves into the rotation for Roy Oswalt, who is likely out until August with a back injury. The 26-year-old, who has not pitched since allowing two runs in four innings of relief on June 23, limited the Florida Marlins to one run over seven frames en route to an 8-1 victory in his most recent start on June 15.
Romero has been outstanding over his last three starts, allowing three runs while striking out 21 in 24 innings. He tossed a four-hitter at St. Louis on Sunday for his first shutout and third complete game of the season. Romero has worked at least seven innings in eight straight starts, the longest active streak in the majors. The 26-year-old is 4-2 at home this year and 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four career outings against Philadelphia.
ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (40-42): Third baseman Jose Bautista has reached base safely in 69 of 74 games this season after drawing a walk in Thursday's loss. It was his 169th walk since the start of the 2010 season, tops in the majors. RHP Jason Frasor's next appearance will give him sole possession of second place on the franchise list. He currently is tied with Tom Henke at 446 games and is six shy of club leader Duane Ward. RHPs Casey Janssen (forearm) and Dustin McGowan (shoulder) are expected to make rehab appearances with Class A Dunedin over the weekend.
ABOUT THE PHILLIES (51-31): LHP Cole Hamels left Thursday's loss after four innings with a right hand contusion suffered on a line drive by Boston's Adrian Gonzalez in the fourth. X-Rays were negative and Hamels, who allowed two hits and struck out a pair, is expected to make his next start. Philadelphia had allowed just two runs in three games before yielding five to Boston on Thursday. The club has surrendered one run or less in 12 of its last 15 victories.
FINAL PITCH: Phillies starters finished June with a 1.96 ERA. It marks the first time a team's rotation posted an ERA under 2.00 in a month since both the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs accomplished the feat in 1992.