The Phillies routed the Blue Jays 11-4 on June 16, 2025, to complete a series sweep. José Berríos struggled while Nick Castellanos hit a grand slam.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
There's no sugarcoating it: Sunday was a tough pill to swallow. A lopsided 11-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies capped a weekend sweep that saw the Blue Jays outplayed in every facet of the game. As the team limps back to Toronto with a 38-31 record, it's easy to dwell on the negatives, but even in a rout, there were moments of individual grit that deserve a spotlight.
Alan Roden made a spectacular catch in the fifth inning, crashing headfirst into the left-field wall to rob Nick Castellanos of extra bases.
The series finale went sideways quickly for Toronto's ace, José Berríos. He battled through 4 2/3 innings but was tagged for six runs on nine hits, unable to find the command that has defined his season. The Phillies' offense was relentless, culminating in a back-breaking grand slam by Nick Castellanos in the sixth inning that blew the game wide open. Zack Wheeler was dominant for Philadelphia, fanning nine Jays hitters over six strong innings, leaving Toronto's offense with few answers.
Amidst the lopsided score, two young outfielders gave fans something to cheer about. Rookie Will Robertson, making his much-anticipated MLB debut, didn't waste any time making an impact, collecting his first career RBI. Meanwhile, Alan Roden provided the defensive play of the year, sprinting full-tilt before crashing into the left-field wall to make a sensational catch. Though he was shaken up, Roden remained in the game, a testament to his toughness. Along with Ernie Clement's three-hit day, these moments were the few bright spots in a gloomy finale.
The Blue Jays will have a much-needed day off on Monday to wash away the bitterness of the sweep. They'll need to regroup quickly as they open a crucial six-game homestand on Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team needs to get back on track, and the friendly confines of the Rogers Centre are the perfect place to do it. Veteran Chris Bassitt (7-3, 3.70 ERA) will get the ball in the opener, tasked with setting a positive tone for the week ahead.
This weekend was a stark reminder of the challenges this league presents, but it's just one series. With a long homestand on the horizon and a chance to reset, the focus now shifts to Tuesday. Can Bassitt play the role of stopper and get the Blue Jays back in the win column? The team, and its fans, certainly hope so.
