TORONTO _ Odubel Herrera ran toward the center-field fence on Saturday afternoon, knowing that the game-winning hit was screaming over his head.
There was nothing Herrera could do to stop it. And it seems like there is nothing the Phillies can do to stop their spiral. They fell again on Saturday as they blew a five-run lead to the Blue Jays en route to an 8-6 loss. The Phillies have lost six of their last seven games.
Aledyms Diaz blasted a three-run double in the eighth inning off Victor Arano after Seranthony Dominguez loaded the bases with one out. Dominguez entered the game after Nick Pivetta gave up a two-run homer in the seventh to Billy McKinney.
Gabe Kapler left new left-hander Luis Avilan in the bullpen and kept Pivetta on the mound against the left-handed Billy McKinney. Kapler trusted his right-handed starter to retire McKinney, and it was that trust that spoiled what seemed like an easy win. Pivetta grooved a fastball to McKinney, who jacked a two-run homer to center. A five-run lead was suddenly down to just one. Pivetta walked the next batter, prompting Kapler to lift the right-hander for Dominguez.
Roman Quinn had two hits for the fourth straight start. Rhys Hoskins drove in three runs, and Asdrubal Cabrera went 3-for-5. The lineup produced as they handed Pivetta a 5-0 lead and a 6-3 lead. But even those margins were not enough to feel comfortable.
