Rookie catcher Brandon Valenzuela hit a walk-off single in the ninth inning on Tuesday, lifting the Toronto Blue Jays to a 3-2 comeback win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Rogers Centre.
The hit capped a two-run rally against Phillies reliever Jhoan Duran, who blew his first save opportunity after converting his first 16 chances this season.
>>> Venezuela Names Starting XI for Iraq Friendly in Illinois
The rally began when Jesus Sanchez reached on an infield single and was replaced by pinch-runner Myles Straw.
Straw scored the tying run on a wild pitch by Duran, and Daulton Varsho advanced to third on the same pitch.
Varsho then scored the winning run when Valenzuela lined the next pitch into left field in front of 41,079 fans.
Valenzuela's Offensive Turnaround
Valenzuela's game-winning hit continues an impressive stretch.
He shifted from a leg kick to a rocking swing trigger in late April after advice from hitting coaches David Popkins, Lou Iannotti, and Cody Atkinson.
"It clicked right away," Valenzuela said. "I started seeing the ball better.
I feel like I have better ABs and I'm giving the team a chance with my ABs."
The adjustment sparked a turnaround. After starting his major-league career with a .
147 average, Valenzuela entered Tuesday batting . 301 with six home runs and 14 RBIs over his previous 30 games.
His surge creates a roster dilemma for the Blue Jays as primary catcher Alejandro Kirk prepares to return from a broken thumb as early as Friday's series against the New York Yankees.
