Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Ryan Howard's two-run single in the top of the ninth inning lifted Philadelphia to a 7-6 defeat of Toronto in the opener of a three-game interleague set from Rogers Centre.
Shane Victorino finished with three hits, two RBI and scored two runs for the Phillies, who have won four of the last five games. Ben Francisco added two doubles and drove in two runs and Carlos Ruiz added a run batted in.
Danys Baez (2-3) turned in a scoreless eighth inning for the win and Antonio Bastardo shut the door in the ninth for his fourth save.
Eric Thames posted two hits, including a two-run homer, and Edwin Encarnacion added a two-run double for the Blue Jays, who have dropped four of five.
Jose Bautista hit a go-ahead two-run blast in the bottom of the seventh for Toronto, but Frank Francisco (1-4) coughed up the lead and took the loss, charged with the deciding runs over one-third of an inning.