It’s starting to look like the Toronto Blue Jays are the real deal.
On Wednesday evening, they defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1 to move to 40-33 for the season. Moreover, this was their sixth series win in their last seven series. Let’s take a look at what happened in the game!
The Blue Jays scored on the second pitch they saw, as Bo Bichette hit his second home run in three pitches dating back to Tuesday’s game. It gave the Blue Jays an early lead which they’d never relinquish.
LIGHTS UP, LET’S BO 👋 pic.twitter.com/PgHGjZuurs
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 18, 2025
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Toronto’s second run scored in the bottom of the third thanks to a bases-loaded catcher’s interference; you don’t see that every day. That inning ended after Alejandro Kirk was rung up on a pitch far out of the zone. ABS is needed as soon as possible.
The Diamondbacks scored their only run in the top of the sixth, as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drove in Corbin Carroll. It was all the Blue Jays from there, as Addison Barger hit his 16th double of the season in the bottom of the sixth to restore the two-run lead. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed him, hitting a two-run double.
Barger and Vladdy: STILL CRUSHING
Send them to the All-Star Game: https://t.co/DwPiRk3RP2 pic.twitter.com/4EOLSOXLOZ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 19, 2025
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In the bottom of the seventh, Tyler Heineman hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly that scored the Jays’ sixth run. Andres Gimenez scored on a Bo Bichette groundout. Guerrero Jr. then hit a single to give the Jays an 8-1 lead.
Takeaways…
After being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies, the Blue Jays moved Addison Barger to the second spot and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. down to the third spot in the lineup. It’s worked wonders in the past two games, as they’ve combined for 10 hits since the move. Like Barger and Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette also has five hits in the past two games.
Both Barger and Bichette had three hits in the game, but so did Ernie Clement as he faced a left-handed pitcher. Guerrero Jr. had two hits, while Alan Roden and Tyler Heineman each had one hit for a total of 13 hits in this game.
Despite the win, the Jays failed to capitalize with the bases loaded on two occasions in this game. Overall, they were 3-11 with runners in scoring position, and left 11 runners on. They still got the win at the end of the day.
Eric Lauer made the start, striking out eight and giving up an earned run in his 5+ innings pitched. It’s safe to say that his spot in the rotation is guaranteed at this point, as the left-handed pitcher has a 2.29 ERA.
Yariel Rodriguez pitched two innings, allowing an inherited runner to score. Justin Bruihl made his first Blue Jays’ appearance, striking out two. Chad Green also pitched a scoreless inning, striking out a batter.
With the Blue Jays’ win and a New York Yankees loss, the Jays are now just two games back of the division lead. That said, the Tampa Bay Rays won their game, meaning they are just a game and a half back of the Yankees.
After the win, the Jays move to 15-8 against National League teams. When removing the nine games against the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, the Blue Jays are 13-1 against National League teams.
The Jays will look for the sweep on Thursday at 3:07 PM ET. Kevin Gausman gets the ball for the Jays.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.