Blue Jays 6, Phillies 5: Scott Kingery trying to make late push in center-field derby

Twenty-five spring-training games down, three to go, and Scott Kingery is a clear underdog in the Phillies’ center-field race.

But it isn’t over yet.

Kingery had one of his better exhibition games Friday night. He hit the ball hard twice, including a two-run double, and made a nice catch against the center-field wall to take extra bases away from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the Phillies’ 6-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla.

The double against Blue Jays reliever Tyler Chatwood represented the kind of swing that the Phillies hoped to see more often from Kingery this spring. But he’s only 6-for-40 (.150) with two doubles, one homer, and 16 strikeouts.

Kingery has fallen behind Roman Quinn, Adam Haseley, and Odúbel Herrera in the center-field derby. It’s telling, though, that the Phillies have continued to use Kingery exclusively in the outfield rather than reacclimating him to a utility role.

“We’ve given him every opportunity to go win the center-field job,” manager Joe Girardi said.

And if he doesn’t?

Kingery can be optioned to the minors without clearing waivers, and the Phillies could have him open the season at the Lehigh Valley alternate site to get more regular at-bats.

But there’s likely a spot for Kingery on the bench, especially with utilityman Brad Miller still working his way back from a strained muscle in his side two weeks ago. Ronald Torreyes, who went 3-for-3 against the Blue Jays, is a possible Kingery alternative. But he would need to be added to the 40-man roster.

Playing right field in back-to-back games for the first time this spring, Bryce Harper set his feet and made a strong throw to second base to cut down Cavan Biggio, who didn’t get a good read on Guerrero’s flare in the third inning.

Although it wasn’t a particularly difficult play for Harper, it was notable because he altered his throwing motion in the offseason to help relieve pressure on his back. Harper grew up as a catcher and realized he never changed his arm action to throw more like an outfielder.

Harper also led off the fifth inning with a home run against Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin Ryu.

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One night after dealing with wildness, lefty reliever Jose Alvarado bounced back with a clean sixth inning.

Seven of Alvarado’s 13 pitches were strikes. He fell behind Rowdy Tellez but caught him looking at back-to-back sinkers, the second of which was recorded at 100.7 mph.

Fellow reliever Héctor Neris also pitched a scoreless inning. He struck out two batters and got another swing-and-miss on his new sinker.

Andrew McCutchen had two hits and reached base three times, a positive sign as spring training winds down. McCutchen has had a solid spring. He has moved around better in left field, easing some of the Phillies’ concerns that he would regain more mobility after knee surgery in 2019.

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When spring training is over, the Phillies will be happy not to see the Blue Jays again until May. They are 0-7 against their spring-training neighbor, with game left between the teams Monday in Clearwater, Fla.

Toronto rallied from a 5-1 deficit with four runs in the eighth inning and one in the ninth against nonroster relievers Bryan Mitchell and Neftali Feliz.

Opening-day starter Aaron Nola will make his final tuneup against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Fla., the Phillies’ last spring-training road game. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. There will be no local broadcast.