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(Sports Network) - The Toronto Blue Jays hope to reverse their recent interleague fortunes this evening, when they open a three-game set against the defending world champion Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Toronto has gone 0-6 thus far against the National League and was swept in a three-game set over the weekend by the Florida Marlins, culminating with an 11-3 drubbing in Sunday's finale.
Alex Rios hit a two-run homer while Kevin Millar had a solo shot for the Blue Jays, who have dropped four straight overall after winning their previous three contests.
Brian Tallet (4-4) was tagged with the loss after going 3 1/3 innings. The left-hander was raked for 10 hits and eight runs, while walking one and striking out two.
"That's what happens when you miss over the plate and I missed over the plate all day long," Tallet said about his mistakes. "Good hitters hit those pitches. Bad hitters hit those pitches, and a little bit of everything happened and not enough good."
Hoping to get the Jays back on track tonight will be left-handed rookie Ricky Romero, who has lost three of his four starts since coming off the disabled list. Romero was charged with the loss on Thursday against Texas despite a terrific effort, as he allowed a run and five hits in 6 1/3 innings in a 1-0 setback.
Romero, who is 3-3 with a 3.71 ERA on the year, has never faced the Phillies.
Getting back in the win column this evening may be easier said than done, though, as the Jays go up against Philly southpaw Cole Hamels, who is 4-2 with a 4.62 ERA.
Hamels, who is unbeaten in his last eight trips to the hill, did not get a decision against the Mets on Wednesday, as he allowed four runs and 11 hits in five innings of a 5-4 win.
This will also be Hamels' first appearance against the Blue Jays.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, dropped two of three to the Boston Red Sox over the weekend but salvaged Sunday's finale, as Jimmy Rollins hit the go-ahead homer in the seventh inning and drove in three runs in an 11-6 win.
Ryan Howard, Pedro Feliz and Shane Victorino had two RBI apiece for the Phillies, who have split their last six games overall. Philadelphia pounded out 14 hits and used a six-run seventh inning to take the victory.
J.A. Happ was hurt by three solo homers in a 5 2/3-inning start for Philadelphia, but managed to limit the damage. Entering the game a perfect 4-0 this season, Happ gave up seven hits and five runs, walked six and fanned three. Chan Ho Park (3-1) tossed 2 1/3 innings of relief to get the win.
Toronto took two of three from the Phils the last time these teams met in Philadelphia back in 2008.
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