Blue Jays 3, Phillies 1: Scott Kingery gets a needed hit, but strikeouts continue to plague him

It was just a single in the eighth inning of a Grapefruit League game against a pitcher with a handful of big-league game experience. But for Scott Kingery, it was a needed hit.

“I think it’s important for him to get some success so he can build off of it,” manager Joe Giardi said after Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Toronto in Clearwater, Fla.

Kingery struck out Saturday in his first two plate appearances before beating a defensive shift with an opposite-field single off Joel Payamps. Kingery leads the team in strikeouts this spring with 14 in 33 plate appearances and seems to be falling behind in the competition for centerfield. Odubel Herrera or Roman Quinn are not running away with the job, but Kingery is batting just .133 this spring.

“He’s working his tail off trying to make his swing better and be productive,” Girardi said. “We will continue to evaluate this until the very end and that’s what we’re going to do. We’ll see what happens.”

Even if Kingery’s not the starting center fielder, his status on the opening-day roster feels safe. He can play almost every position, providing the Phillies valuable versatility on their bench. But every strikeout hurts his chances as Girardi has challenged the centerfielders to simply make contact. A rough finish to camp could force the Phillies to consider starting Kingery in Allentown. Now they hope his eighth-inning at-bat can be a turnaround.

“Right now our focus has been centerfield,” Girardi said. “We have eight or nine games left, let’s see what happens over these eight or nine days and then we’ll adjust our roster the way we need to.”

Matt Moore threw 28 pitches in the first inning, plunked a hitter, and allowed a run. He had been efficient in his first three spring appearances, but Saturday started off rocky. And then Moore settled in.

The left-hander pitched four innings Saturday against a lineup full of Toronto regulars. He struck out four and allowed just two hits after his first inning. He needed 35 pitches for his final three innings after throwing 28 in the first. He’s looked the part this spring of a veteran starter.

“In that first inning, I think I got a little bit ahead of myself and started overthrowing and my command was all over the place,” Moore said. “As the second and third inning and fourth inning went on, I felt like I was settling in and dialing in.”

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Connor Brogdon struggled in his first outing since injuring his rib last Sunday. The right-hander walked three of the five batters he faced before being removed with the bases loaded in the fifth. Despite the command issues, Brogdon’s fastball sat at 95 mph. He still seems to have the inside track on a bullpen job as the Phillies were pleased to see him back on the mound after one of his ribs popped out last Sunday.

Bryce Harper roped an RBI double in the fourth inning that fell just in front of the wall in right center. It was both the hardest and farthest hit of the game as the double left Harper’s bat at 112.4 mph and traveled 387 feet. Harper is making a lot of hard contact as he hit two balls faster than 104 mph in Friday’s win over the Yankees.

José Alvarado continues to impress as he struck out the side in the seventh. He threw 16 pitches, nine of which were 99 mph or faster. It’s not just the speed of Alvarado’s pitches, but the movement of them this spring that sets him apart. He could be the closer.

» READ MORE: After losing 50 pounds, Phillies’ José Alvarado could be team’s closer with a 100 mph fastball

Héctor Neris retired three of the four batters he faced in the sixth and Archie Bradley’s fastball averaged at 94 mph, the hardest he has thrown this spring. The Phillies have three legitimate options to close.

Also in the bullpen, South Jersey’s Zach Warren relieved Brogdon in the fifth and struck out Rowdy Tellez with a full-count 93 mph fastball to leave the bases loaded. The left-hander from St. Augustine Prep is at spring training as part of the team’s minicamp and Saturday was his second game action. The 24-year-old will be a name to watch when the minor-league season begins.

Chase Anderson starts Sunday at 1:05 p.m. against the Tigers in Clearwater, Fla. NBC Sports Philadelphia and WIP-FM will broadcast the game.