The Toronto Blue Jays won the series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.
Philadelphia started three-time MLB All-Star Zack Wheeler in the opener, who went 5.1 innings, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits. During the game, the Blue Jays were convinced Wheeler was throwing illegally, as they claimed his foot was coming off the rubber on the first-base side before he released the ball.
Wheeler said he spoke to the home plate umpire after the Blue Jays raised the concern. It’s also something the MLB spoke to Wheeler about in the past. However, he was confident he was pitching legally and took a shot at the Blue Jays and their down year.
“They’ve lost a lot of games over there, so they’re probably trying to pick some things up to complain about,” Wheeler said after the game.
The three-time MLB All-Star didn’t hold back his feelings and believes the Blue Jays are trying to complain about other things instead of their poor play.
Toronto ended up winning the game 5-4 to win the series opener.
Blue Jays Manager Details Wheeler Complaint
Toronto’s hitting coach, David Popkins, was ejected from the game as he was complaining about Wheeler’s delivery.
After the game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider made his feelings clear on the situation.
“Let me say this first and foremost, Zack Wheeler is an unbelievable pitcher and has been for a long time,” Schneider said. “I have all the respect in the world for him. We were just getting information that his foot was off the rubber on the first-base side. … It’s hard to see in real time. This dude’s been pitching at an elite level for his entire career. … But it was just an example of our hitting coach kind of protecting the players and me doing the same.”
Despite the complaints about Wheeler’s delivery, the Blue Jays did get the last laugh as Toronto upset the Phillies to win the series opener.
Jose Soriano Impresses in Debut
Also on Friday was Jose Soriano making his Blue Jays debut after being acquired by the Los Angeles Angels.
Soriano impressed as he went 4.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and striking out 3 as Toronto was impressed with him.
“You see the stuff and you know who you’re acquiring, but to kind of see the demeanor and see how they approach certain things, how they are in between innings, kind of see their cadence of the game, is nice,” Schneider said. “For him to kind of not budge right there was really good to see.”
Soriano hadn’t pitched in over a week, and after the rain delay, Toronto took it easy with Soriano.
“It feels great to help the team win the game,” Soriano said. “That’s the point. … “I just tried to keep the focus in that moment. I tried to do one pitch all the time.”
Toronto will look for a series win on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. ET.
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