Latest news with #TorontoBlueJays'
Toronto Star
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Bo Bichette's two-run homer caps Blue Jays' wild 8-4 win over rival Yankees
Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement, right, hits an RBI single off New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) in fourth inning MLB baseball game action in Toronto on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Kevin Gausman has his best stuff in Blue Jays' clutch 4-1 win over Yankees
TORONTO - The first two innings have never been Kevin Gausman's forte but when he gets off to a quick start he knows it's going to be a good game. Gausman struck out Trent Grisham and two-time American League MVP Aaron Judge in the first two at bats of the Toronto Blue Jays' 4-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Monday night. Gausman struck out eight and gave up just one run over seven innings as Toronto earned a critical win over the rival Yankees.
Global News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Global News
Gausman has best stuff in clutch win over Yankees
TORONTO – The first two innings have never been Kevin Gausman's forte but when he gets off to a quick start he knows it's going to be a good game. Gausman struck out Trent Grisham and two-time American League MVP Aaron Judge in the first two at bats of the Toronto Blue Jays' 4-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Monday night. Gausman struck out eight and gave up just one run over seven innings as Toronto earned a critical win over the rival Yankees. That one-two punchout was when Gausman knew he had his best stuff. 'Unfortunately for me, I'm usually not very good at the first two innings. My career ERA would be so much lower if, you know, I could figure that out,' said Gausman, who has a 3.86 earned-run average over his career, although he has a 4.69 ERA in the first inning and a 3.32 ERA in the second over his 13 Major League Baseball seasons. Story continues below advertisement 'But when I'm able to come out and establish the fastball and throw swing-and-miss splitters straight out the jump, I feel pretty confident that I can go seven innings or even more.' Gausman fell behind Judge 2-0 in the first inning but then got him out with a swinging strike on a four-seam fastball, a foul ball on another four-seamer followed by another swinging strike on a splitter. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The two battled again in the fifth with Oswald Peraza on third base and two outs. Gausman jumped out to a quick 0-2 count in that at bat but Judge drew a pair of balls to even it 2-2. Judge fouled off three-consecutive four-seamers that were all over 96 miles per hour, before he popped up an 84.6 m.p.h. splitter to catcher Alejandro Kirk to end the top of the inning. Story continues below advertisement 'That's kind of mano a mano,' said Gausman of the impressive showing against Judge. 'If he gets a hit, it's going to score a run, and if I get him out, I'm out of the inning so definitely tried to throw my best fastballs. 'If you look at my numbers, they're not too great against him. He's had a lot of success against me. I've struck him out a good bit, but he's a two-time MVP for a reason.' The sold-out Rogers Centre crowd of 41,786 seemed to appreciate Gausman's battles against Judge, with a loud ovation when Kirk caught the pop-fly in foul territory. '(Gausman) was awesome,' said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. 'Kind of what you expect out of a veteran guy to get the series going. 'Huge at bat versus Judge in the fifth. That was a good battle. Came after him with heaters, but Kev, he was in total control. Really, really good performance.' It was Toronto's (59-41) fourth win in a row and seventh in 10 games. The Blue Jays added to their lead atop the AL East, four games ahead of New York. 'Anytime you can go seven innings, against a division rival is going to be big, especially the first game of a series, rest some of those guys out there (in the bullpen),' said Gausman. 'If you can get a little bit further, it's going to set things up nice for the rest of the series.' Story continues below advertisement The Yankees have two more games at Rogers Centre in the series. Toronto has a Major League Baseball-best 36-16 record at home so far this season and has won a franchise-best 11 consecutive games at Rogers Centre. 'I think that the city and the fans deserve that,' said Schneider. 'We love the support. You look up at 6:45 p.m. and the place is full. 'It's a really cool feeling and the guys, they feel that. Everyone feels that.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
‘He's there': Barger continues to make his mark as Blue Jays keep winning
TORONTO - Addison Barger has played a big part in the Toronto Blue Jays' rise to the top of the American League East division this season. The 25-year-old utilityman continued his breakout season on Sunday afternoon, going 1 for 4 with a towering two-run home run to help the Blue Jays sweep their three-game series versus the San Francisco Giants with an 8-6 victory. The day prior, Barger notched the first four-hit game of his career, going 4 for 4 with a double. Sunday's home run gave Barger 14 on the season, three behind George Springer for the team lead. His .846 OPS ranks second behind Springer as well among Blue Jays hitters with over 100 plate appearances, while his .514 slugging percentage ranks first. 'I think that one went a little farther than 407 (feet),' joked Blue Jays manager John Schneider of Barger's home run. 'I don't know if that's what Stat Cast had it at.' On a team littered with star power, Schneider says Barger is earning his place among them. 'I think he's there,' said Schneider post-game. 'I think he's been there for a while. He's playing pretty regularly, he's doing a lot of damage, he's hitting the ball hard. He's usually in the top five (hitters in the lineup). So, yeah, I think he's there.' Barger's breakout has now led to his manager trusting him, a left-handed batter, to face off against left-handed pitchers, a rarity for a rookie with as little experience as Barger has. With lefty starter Robbie Ray on the mound on Sunday, Barger remained in the starting lineup, batting sixth. 'I think it's an approach and having a plan,' Schneider said of Barger facing left-handed pitching. 'Sometimes, it's sitting on a pitch. Sometimes, it's taking some shots. Sometimes, it's letting the ball travel and hitting it a little deep. But I think, with his skills, you trust that something good is going to happen. 'And I think, too, with his preparation, that's kind of what separated him a little bit. Not being afraid to go against a tough lefty.' Barger credits much of his success to Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins and his staff. 'They come up with most of the plans,' explained Barger post-game. 'We come up with our own plans based off of reports and video. It's a combination of us working with them. And they're open to certain things and there's a lot of back and forth. So, they're extremely important.' Now set to host division rival New York Yankees for a three-game series on Monday, the Blue Jays will need Barger to continue his impressive offensive breakout with important divisional implications on the line. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2025.
Global News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Global News
Barger continues to flourish with Blue Jays
TORONTO – Addison Barger has played a big part in the Toronto Blue Jays' rise to the top of the American League East division this season. The 25-year-old utilityman continued his breakout season on Sunday afternoon, going 1 for 4 with a towering two-run home run to help the Blue Jays sweep their three-game series versus the San Francisco Giants with an 8-6 victory. The day prior, Barger notched the first four-hit game of his career, going 4 for 4 with a double. Sunday's home run gave Barger 14 on the season, three behind George Springer for the team lead. His .846 OPS ranks second behind Springer as well among Blue Jays hitters with over 100 plate appearances, while his .514 slugging percentage ranks first. 'I think that one went a little farther than 407 (feet),' joked Blue Jays manager John Schneider of Barger's home run. Story continues below advertisement 'I don't know if that's what Stat Cast had it at.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy On a team littered with star power, Schneider says Barger is earning his place among them. 'I think he's there,' said Schneider post-game. 'I think he's been there for a while. He's playing pretty regularly, he's doing a lot of damage, he's hitting the ball hard. He's usually in the top five (hitters in the lineup). So, yeah, I think he's there.' Barger's breakout has now led to his manager trusting him, a left-handed batter, to face off against left-handed pitchers, a rarity for a rookie with as little experience as Barger has. With lefty starter Robbie Ray on the mound on Sunday, Barger remained in the starting lineup, batting sixth. 'I think it's an approach and having a plan,' Schneider said of Barger facing left-handed pitching. 'Sometimes, it's sitting on a pitch. Sometimes, it's taking some shots. Sometimes, it's letting the ball travel and hitting it a little deep. But I think, with his skills, you trust that something good is going to happen. Story continues below advertisement 'And I think, too, with his preparation, that's kind of what separated him a little bit. Not being afraid to go against a tough lefty.' Barger credits much of his success to Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins and his staff. 'They come up with most of the plans,' explained Barger post-game. 'We come up with our own plans based off of reports and video. It's a combination of us working with them. And they're open to certain things and there's a lot of back and forth. So, they're extremely important.' Now set to host division rival New York Yankees for a three-game series on Monday, the Blue Jays will need Barger to continue his impressive offensive breakout with important divisional implications on the line. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2025.
