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| Barajas' huge night leads Blue Jays over Phillies TORONTO 6, PHILADELPHIA 3 |
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By Vince DiGregorio PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- For the second straight game, the Philadelphia Phillies witnessed an outstanding individual offensive performance. Unfortunately for them, it was from one of their former players. Rod Barajas hit two home runs - including a grand slam - and drove in a career-high five runs as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Phillies, 6-3, on Saturday. Barajas, who played with Philadelphia last season, belted a grand slam off Phillies starter Adam Eaton (0-2) in the second inning and later added a solo shot off Tom Gordon in the ninth for his fifth career multi-home run game. "I saw some pitches that I could handle," Barajas said. "I got a couple of balls that I was able to drive and got lucky." Barajas' huge night came on the heels of Jayson Werth's three home run, eight RBI performance that helped Philadelphia to a 10-3 victory on Friday. "I was talking to Jayson after the game and we were just kind of having fun with it," Barajas said. "Barajas came back to his old town and had the big night," said Toronto manager John Gibbons, who was ejected in the seventh inning for arguing. "He was trying to match Jayson Werth. Those four runs stood up. We didn't do much after that." Toronto starter A.J. Burnett (4-4) had a fine outing, as he allowed just two runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts and three walks. "I had a good two-seamer today, working both sides of the plate with that," Burnett said. "I'm trying to pitch a little more varying speeds here and there. Just try to keep them off balance." The righthander left with a 4-1 lead and a runner on first with one out in the seventh. But Burnett almost had his performance ruined by Armando Benitez, who came on and surrendered a two-run double to Jimmy Rollins. However, Scott Downs came on to end the threat and pitched a scoreless eighth. B.J. Ryan retired the side in the ninth for his eighth save. The Blue Jays broke through in the second inning to open the scoring. Matt Stairs was hit by a pitch to start the frame before Lyle Overbay and Marco Scutaro singled to load the bases. Barajas then drove a 2-1 over the right field fence for an opposite field grand slam that gave the Jays a 4-0 lead. "I don't ever remember (Barajas) hitting a home run to right field," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "I don't know if he was trying to make a statement, but he had a good night." Barajas' third career slam was his first lifetime hit off Eaton in 10 at-bats. "(Eaton's) a guy whom I've never had success (against)," Barajas said. "That first at-bat, I was just trying to hit the ball the other way, get one run in at least." Barajas had a forgettable 2007 season - his only year with the Phillies - appearing in only 48 games with four home runs and 10 RBI. Barajas' blast put the Phillies in early hole they could not recover from. He was not basking in beating his former team tough. "The only satisfaction is we won the game," he said. "We got creamed last night and you want to bounce back and you want to put a 'W' on that board." Trailing, 4-0, the Phillies threatened in the third inning when Eaton became their first baserunner by drawing a two-out walk. A single and a walk loaded the bases, but Chase Utley grounded out to end the threat. Philadelphia got on the board in the fourth on a two-out, RBI double by Greg Dobbs. Eaton allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings. The righthander walked two, struck out three, hit a batter and remained winless in nine starts this season. |
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