Lyle Overbay's three-run pinch-hit homer and Shannon Stewart's two-run double helped the Blue Jays beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 on Sunday in a game that was delayed twice for a total of two hours and 43 minutes.
"I couldn't be more proud of this whole group," Toronto manager John Gibbons said.
Ryan Howard gave the Phillies a quick 2-0 lead with his 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot off Shaun Marcum in the first inning.
After the inning ended, the game was stopped by rain for 2 hours, and 4 minutes. A second delay of 39 minutes halted the game in the sixth inning. When play resumed, Toronto ace Roy Halladay made his first relief appearance since July 2, 2001. He pitched 2 1-3 innings giving up a hit. He struck out two. Halladay last pitched on Thursday.
Jason Frasor (1-0) picked up the win for the Blue Jays, giving up one run over 1 1-3 innings of hitless relief. B.J. Ryan earned his ninth save in nine opportunities despite surrendering a two-out solo homer to Pat Burrell.
"B.J., in a day game after a night game, got it done," Gibbons said.
Ryan struck out pinch-hitter Eric Bruntlett with So Taguchi on second base to end the game.
Rudy Seanez (2-3) took the loss for Philadelphia.
"You just try to stay locked in as long as you can," Seanez said of the rain delays. "No excuse for it. Everyone has got to play."
Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick and Marcum each only pitched an inning because of the first rain delay. The two teams combined to use 13 pitchers.
"I wanted to stay out there, but it's their call," Kendrick said.
Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel made the decision because of the length of the initial rain delay.
"I felt good," Kendrick said. "Obviously, the competitor in me wanted to be out there."
Philadelphia was leading 3-0 before Overbay's second career pinch homer off Chad Durbin tied the game 3-3 in the fifth inning.
"I was just trying to get a good pitch and take advantage of it in a situation like that," Overbay said.
With two outs in the sixth, Stewart ripped a double off Seanez, scoring Alex Rios and Matt Stairs for a 5-3 lead. Stairs was intentionally walked ahead of Stewart. Rod Barajas added an RBI single to make it 6-3.
Chase Utley, who entered the game in a 3-for-18 slump, finished 1-for-5 with an RBI double in the sixth that closed the gap to 6-4.
Notes: Jimmy Rollins is 11-for-21 (.524) over his last five games. ... Overbay's pinch-hit homer was the second of the season for Toronto. Alex Rios hit one on April 18 at Baltimore. ... Halladay made his 26th career relief appearance. The Blue Jays had a season-best five extra-base hits. ... The two first-innings allowed by Marcum were the only first-inning runs he has given up all season.
