Harper hits grand slam, streaking Phillies rout Blue Jays 10-1

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper hit a grand slam, Cristopher Sánchez pitched seven strong innings and the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies routed the Toronto Blue Jays 10-1 on Tuesday night.

Kody Clemens homered, tripled and drove in four runs for the Phillies, who have won seven straight games, 11 in a row at home and 18 of 21 overall. Philadelphia is leading baseball with 26 victories.

Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk each doubled for Toronto. The Blue Jays have lost six of seven.

Sánchez (2-3) gave up one run on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Harper, who had three hits, chased José Berríos (4-3) with a bases-loaded drive to right with two outs in the fourth on a 2-0, 84 mph curveball to give the two-time NL MVP home runs in three consecutive contests.

Berríos entered play leading the majors with a 1.44 ERA and ended the night with a 2.85 mark after allowing eight runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He surrendered more runs against the Phillies than the seven runs in seven starts over 43 2/3 innings before Tuesday.

Harper battled the Blue Jays star right-hander in the first inning, working out of an 0-2 hole to single after an eight-pitch at-bat. Nick Castellanos followed with a double to score Harper and put Philadelphia ahead 1-0.

Clemens, who was called up after shortstop Trea Turner was shelved for at least six weeks on Saturday with a left hamstring strain and in the lineup at third base following the end of Alec Bohm’s 18-game hitting streak on Monday, hit a two-run shot in the second and an RBI triple in the fourth.

In three games, Clemens is 4 for 9 with a double, triple, two homers and seven RBIs.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider wasn’t around to see the end after getting ejected by home plate umpire Andy Fletcher in the fourth when he removed Berríos for Trevor Richards.

The Phillies can tie the franchise record for consecutive home victories when they go for their fourth straight home series sweep on Wednesday. They won 12 in a row at home from July 8 to Aug. 6, 2010.

Philadelphia has had more victories through 37 games just twice before, in 1976 and 1993 when they started 27-10 in both seasons.

UP NEXT

Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (4-1, 3.32 ERA) opposes Toronto RHP Chris Bassitt (2-5, 5.45) on Wednesday.

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Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, right, rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam against Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, center, celebrates with Kody Clemens and teammates after hitting a grand slam against Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider argues with home plate umpire Andy Fletcher during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber is hit by a pitch from Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Berrios during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reacts after a check swing against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Spencer Turnbull during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber, left, slides into second base for a double past Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper reacts after hitting a grand slam against Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, right, reacts past Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk after hitting a grand slam during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

BRIGHTON, England (AP) — Manchester United slumped to its worst-ever Premier League finish in eighth place and closed the campaign with a negative goal difference despite beating Brighton 2-0 away in their final game on Sunday.

Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund were the scorers for United at Amex Stadium as United finished outside the European qualification spots.

Finishing in sixth or seventh place would have confirmed a place in the Europa League or Europa Conference League, respectively, for United, the 20-time English champion. However, the two teams above United — Chelsea and Newcastle — both won elsewhere in the final round.

United could still get into the Europa League by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday.

It was United's worst league campaign since coming 13th in the old First Division under Alex Ferguson in 1990.

“We have the best fans in the world and I mean this,” said United manager Erik ten Hag, whose team has endured an injury-hit season. “I have never had this experience when you have a season like us, which is by far not good enough, that the supporters are with us.

“They are with us in the bad season and in bad times they are there. I think also they know why the bad times are there. But we have to pay them back and we have to do everything to give them a trophy next week — but also for the future, we have to perform better.”

It was Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi's final match in charge of his team. He announced Saturday he'd be stepping down after Sunday's game.

While cross-town rival City was busy being crowned league champion for an unprecedented fourth season in a row, United overcame a poor first-half display to avoid setting a new record for the club’s lowest Premier League points tally.

Yet Ten Hag’s men still finished a difficult campaign, which brought 14 top-flight defeats, with a goal difference of -1.

Hojlund, the Denmark international, has hit 16 goals in his debut season, including 10 in the league, following his big-money move from Atalanta. Ten Hag said he hopes that tally increases at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

“It could always be better but don’t forget he had three injuries this season,” Ten Hag said of the 21-year-old Hojlund's contribution.

“He came in with the injury, missed the start, then he got injured before winter and then he got injured after winter. So every time that broke his rhythm and if you then shoot 16 goals for the first season it’s OK. And it’s not over, we have to play the FA Cup final.”

Following a series of fitness setbacks among this squad, Ten Hag believes he now has a positive selection headache as he contemplates his cup final lineup.

Center back Lisandro Martinez made his first start since early February on the south coast, while Raphael Varane returned to action as a substitute following more than six weeks out.

“I would say the manager and the coaching team have luxury problems, which is good,” Ten Hag said.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag looks on, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United, at the Amex Stadium, in Brighton and Hove, England, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds fans, at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United, at the Amex Stadium, in Brighton and Hove, England, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

FILE - Brighton's head coach Roberto De Zerbi shouts to his players from the sideline during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, on March 31, 2024. De Zerbi will leave the club after the team’s game against Manchester United. De Zerbi has been discussed as a potential coaching candidate for higher-profile clubs and his “mutually agreed” split from Brighton after Sunday’s match will only fuel further speculation. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, centre, makes a save, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United, at the Amex Stadium, in Brighton and Hove, England, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Brighton's Joao Pedro, left and Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka vie for the ball, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United, at the Amex Stadium, in Brighton and Hove, England, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag smiles, ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United, at the Amex Stadium, in Brighton and Hove, England, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)