Toronto, ON – July 5, 2025 — The Toronto Blue Jays struck again in dramatic fashion, edging the Los Angeles Angels 4–3 in 11 innings at Rogers Centre to extend their winning streak to seven games, all during a perfect homestand.
Clutch Performance: Barger’s Walk-Off at the Plate
Addison Barger became the toast of Toronto after delivering a hard-hit, two-out single to right off Angels reliever Ryan Zeferjahn, driving in the automatic runner Myles Straw from third base. The bases-loaded situation—catalyzed by a brilliant bunt single from Nathan Lukes and an intentional walk to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.—set the stage for the heroics in the 11th inning.
This was the season-high seven-game winning streak for the Jays, who have now claimed victory in six straight games in extra innings during this stretch .
Early Lead and Tension Build
The contest was a roller-coaster from the onset:
- First inning: The Angels scored roundabout when Jo Adell drew a bases-loaded walk against Max Scherzer, who buckled under pressure inside the zone. However, Barger quickly responded in the bottom half—tying it with an RBI single after Lukes and Guerrero’s plate appearances.
- Third inning: Los Angeles regained control via a sacrifice fly from Adell, scoring Nolan Schanuel. But Toronto struck back when George Springer crushed his 16th homer of the season, a two-run blast that restored a 3–2 lead and marked his fifth homer in as many games. Springer is now riding a hot streak, batting .490 with six homers and 21 RBIs in his past 13 games.
Pitching & Fielding Highlights
- Scherzer, in his return from the IL, delivered a mixed outing: four innings, two runs, five hits, and three walks. He struck out nine in one dominant half-inning before fatigue set in.
- Lazaro Estrada, making his MLB debut for Toronto, impressed with four innings of one-run baseball, surrendering two hits and striking out four.
- In relief, Braydon Fisher (3–0) delivered two perfect innings in extras, earning the win by keeping the Angels off the board until the decisive blow.
Boston Remarks & Team Momentum
Manager John Schneider praised both the depth and durability of his squad:
“Our depth is really good… it’s a really fulfilling feeling for me, for the staff and, I’m sure, for the guys”.
Springer, the catalyst, has drawn plaudits from every corner. Schneider suggested he’s deserving of All-Star recognition, given his surge in power and consistency .
Placing the Win in Perspective
- Homestand dominance: Toronto are 7–0 over their latest seven home games—sweeping series versus the Yankees and now threading extra-inning wins against the Angels .
- American League East: They lead the division, opening a 3-game cushion over both New York and Tampa Bay.
Game-Changing Plays Worth Noting
Moment | Impact |
---|---|
Barger’s walk-off hit | Sealed the win and extended the streak |
Springer’s homer | Stemmed momentum and regained lead |
Estrada’s debut effort | Showed pitching depth |
Scherzer’s 9 K half-inning | Reminder of his dominance |
Angels’ Struggles Resurface
The Angels continued their frustration with runners in scoring position—hitting just 3-for-17, leaving 16 runners on base.. Manager Ray Montgomery commented after Game 2,
“We’re putting guys on base… just not coming up with the big hit when we need it”.
What Comes Next
Toronto aims to sweep the series with a finale on Sunday, backed by starter Kevin Gausman (6–6, 4.18 ERA). The Angels will send Tyler Anderson (2–5, 4.12 ERA) to the mound.
For the Jays, maintaining this momentum will be critical—especially as they look to build a break in the AL East and ride the confidence from clutch performances into the dog days of summer.
Final Takeaway
This 4–3 extra-innings win epitomized Toronto’s current identity: grit, clutch hitting, and pitching resiliency. Led by George Springer’s power surge and Addison Barger’s timely heroics, the Blue Jays are signaling a full-throttle contenders’ vibe—every inning matters, every player matters, and winning has become a habit.