Blue Jays bats pour it on in six-run first inning against Phillies

The Toronto Blue Jays appear to be making a habit out of putting up big numbers in the first inning.

For the second time in the span of three games, the Blue Jays' offence went to work in the opening frame, jumping out to a massive lead.

On Tuesday, against the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto scored six runs on eight hits and two home runs against start Tyler Phillips, chasing the 26-year-old right-hander before he could record a third out.

Toronto's eight hits tied a franchise record for knocks in the opening inning, matching the mark set on Aug. 23, 1996, per Sportsnet Stats.

Daulton Varsho kicked off the festivities by launching a curveball 427 feet to centre field for a two-run shot, driving in George Springer. From there, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a single, Spencer Horwitz doubled and Will Wagner grounded out for an RBI, Phillips' first out of the inning.

But Toronto's hitters kept on hitting, with Alejandro Kirk driving in Horwitz before Addison Barger hit his seventh home run of the season. Barger got just enough of a changeup to bounce it off the top of the wall and into the Phillies bullpen in right field.

Phillips was forced out of the game after striking out Joey Loperfido and allowing a pair of singles to Springer and Ernie Clement. All-in-all, the rookie pitcher threw 36 pitches — 28 for strikes — and saw his ERA balloon to 6.87 in his eighth big-league start.

Left-hander Tanner Banks came into the game and struck out Varsho to finally end the inning.

The Blue Jays put up seven runs in the first on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins and rookie starter Zebby Matthews, capitalizing on homers from Varsho and Horwitz to spark a 15-0 win.

You can watch as the Blue Jays look to carry another lead to a big win on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.