On Wednesday night, the Toronto Blue Jays faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies in a highly anticipated matchup. Despite a quality start from Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Francis, the team ultimately fell short and was defeated by the Phillies.

Francis, who was making his first start of the season for the Blue Jays, delivered a solid performance on the mound. The veteran left-hander pitched six innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out four batters. His performance was a bright spot for the Blue Jays, who have been struggling with injuries to their pitching staff.

Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, their offense was unable to provide enough run support for Francis. The team managed just one run on six hits, with their only run coming on a solo home run by Jose Bautista in the fourth inning. The Blue Jays had several opportunities to score throughout the game, but were unable to capitalize on key moments.

On the other side, the Phillies offense came alive against the Blue Jays pitching staff. Phillies starter Jerome Williams held the Blue Jays in check, allowing just one run on five hits over six innings. The Phillies offense was led by Maikel Franco, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.

Despite the loss, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons remained optimistic about his team’s performance. “I thought Jeff [Francis] gave us a chance to win tonight,” Gibbons said after the game. “We just couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it. That’s baseball.”

The defeat drops the Blue Jays to a record of 16-18 on the season, while the Phillies improve to 14-23. The Blue Jays will look to bounce back in their next game against the Houston Astros, while the Phillies will aim to continue their winning ways against the Colorado Rockies.

Overall, while the Blue Jays may have been defeated by the Phillies, there were certainly some positives to take away from the game. With a strong performance from Jeff Francis and some promising moments from their offense, the Blue Jays will look to build on these aspects as they continue their season.