Addison Barger has arrived.
On Friday evening, the Toronto Blue Jays started a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners, defeating them 6-3 to move to 18-20 this season and winning their second consecutive game. Let’s take a look at what happened in this one!
The Jays got on the board early, as Barger hit a two-RBI double with an exit velocity of 109.7 mph. It was his fourth double of the season, but certainly not his last one on Friday evening.
On the board first! pic.twitter.com/D7uKsjA8sZ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 10, 2025
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In the top of the third, Ernie Clement drove in Barger with a single after Barger reached with his second double of the game. Following Clement was Nathan Lukes, who hit his second home run of the season to give the Jays a 5-0 lead.
Lukes uses The Force ✨ pic.twitter.com/Oly703qoBB
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 10, 2025
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The Mariners got a run back in the bottom of the third thanks to Jorge Polanco’s single. Randy Arozarena drove in a run in the bottom of the sixth, and Leody Taveras drove in another one later in the inning.
Thankfully, the Jays added an insurance run in the top of the ninth as Tyler Heineman hit a sacrifice fly to win this one 6-3, giving the Jays a two-game win streak.
Takeaways…
This was by far Addison Barger’s best game in the big leagues. Overall, he finished 3-4 with three doubles and two RBIs. His third double, which came in the top of the eighth, had an exit velocity of 116.5 mph, the highest of his career. Not only that, but Barger made a terrific play at third base. Perhaps he’s the third baseman of the future?
Speaking of terrific plays, Daulton Varsho made another one in centre field, ranging back and robbing a home run in the bottom of the fifth. The Blue Jays absolutely won the trade. Varsho is terrific.
DAULTON VARSHO, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE 😱 pic.twitter.com/gdvYsA4kQf
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 10, 2025
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Nathan Lukes shows that he has earned his spot on the roster, hitting his second home run of the season and his third of his career. This season, the outfield is slashing .259/.359/.407 in 65 plate appearances for a 124 wRC+. He’s a great bench bat. Bo Bichette had a solid game, hitting two singles, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement, and Tyler Heineman all had one single.
Kevin Gausman nearly finished with a quality start, but he ran into some trouble in the top of the sixth inning. Overall, he finished with five and one-third innings pitched with three earned runs and three strikeouts. Not his best game, but he gave the Jays a chance to win.
Brendon Little allowed a run to score that was tagged to Guasman, but he finished with an inning and a third pitched with three strikeouts to drop his ERA to 2. Yimi Garcia loaded the bases with no outs, but got the next three outs to get out of the inning, including two strikeouts. It’s not conventional, but it works.
1) Get into a jam
2) PUNCH YOUR WAY OUT pic.twitter.com/4HFVb31Cey— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 10, 2025
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Lastly, Jeff Hoffman had a good bounce-back game, striking out three of the four batters he faced, one of whom reached base as Tyler Heineman was unable to block it. It’s nice to see Hoffman and Garcia get back on track.
The Jays have a chance to win the series in Toronto West on Saturday, as that game starts at 9:40 PM ET. Bowden Francis is the projected starter for the Blue Jays.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.