Cubs' aggressive approach pays off in 4-1 victory over Blue Jays
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Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Alejandro Kirk's heroics lead Blue Jays to 6-5 comeback win over Texas Rangers
Alejandro Kirk followed a two-run homer in the seventh inning with a game-winning two-run single in the eighth to push the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-5 comeback win in the series opener against the Texas Rangers on Friday. Kirk's single with the bases loaded allowed the Blue Jays (72-51) to overcome a three-run deficit. Before Kirk's deciding at-bat, Texas reliever Phil Matton (2-5) walked Daulton Varsho with the bases loaded to pull the home team within two runs before 42,260 at Rogers Centre. Kirk and Rangers infielder Marcus Semien traded two-run homers in the bottom of the seventh and top of the eighth. Reliever Louis Varland (4-3) registered the win with Jeff Hoffman notching his 28th save. Jacob deGrom pitched five shutout innings, allowing only two hits with no walks and five strikeouts as the Rangers' (61-62) losing streak was extended to three games. Kyle Higashioka hammered a three-run homer in the second inning. The three-run blow was one of only four hits off Toronto starter Chris Bassitt, who lasted five innings on 100 pitches and matched a season-high four walks with four strikeouts. Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes made a pair of defensive gems early. With his back against the wall, he jumped to take an extra base hit away from Joc Pederson in the first inning. In the second inning, Lukes fielded Evan Carter's rocket off the wall and caught the Rangers outfielder at second. Rangers: They began the day 3½ games back of the final American League wild-card spot. Blue Jays: George Springer homered in the second of his three at-bats in his rehab start for triple-A Buffalo on Friday. Shane Bieber pitched seven shutout innings in Buffalo, striking out four with six hits and no walks on 90 pitches. Springer is expected to rejoin Toronto on Saturday, and Bieber could make his Blue Jays debut next week. Key moment: Kirk's bases-loaded single in the eighth inning scored the tying and go-ahead runs. Key stat: Bassitt still hasn't suffered a loss at home in 2025, going 8-0 with six no decisions. Up next: Lefty Eric Lauer (7-2) will face Texas southpaw Patrick Corbin (6-8) in the middle outing of the three-game set on Saturday.
Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
Kirk plays hero, steals first base in Jays' win
TORONTO – Alejandro Kirk's late-game heroics resulted in three deafening ovations from the 42,260 inside the Rogers Centre on Friday. The first roar arrived in the seventh inning when the Toronto Blue Jays catcher smacked an opposite-field two-run homer to right. The next inning, the sellout crowd cheered as Kirk delivered a bases-loaded single to left field to score the game-tying and game-winning runs. But the most thunderous praise from the faithful came when Kirk caught the Texas Rangers by surprise and stole his first career base. 'I didn't know what was going on,' Kirk said through an interpreter after the 6-5 win. 'Then I turned around and saw myself (standing at second base) on the scoreboard.' The Blue Jays celebrated along with their low-key teammate's first stolen base. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pulled the base out of the ground and presented Kirk with the keepsake. Story continues below advertisement Kirk stated the memento will soon be on display in his home. He also admitted he was surprised when first-base coach Mark Budzinski told him to steal second. 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 'I looked around and said, 'Are you serious?'' Kirk said. Budzinski was serious. Kirk made history. He was holding on to the base during his post-game interview. 'The fact that he was holding it on the field post-game is even better,' Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. 'I think they're authenticating it.' Although Toronto starter Chris Bassitt endured a difficult outing, lasting only five innings and giving up an early three-run homer, his night ended on a high note, watching his battery mate's late-game wizardry. 'He's catching (all-time base stealing leader) Rickey (Henderson) slowly,' Bassitt said with a smile. Story continues below advertisement Kirk hit his homer with an 0-1 count and his single with a 1-2 count. 'Kirk, the hitter, is pretty hard to face,' Bassitt said. 'So I hate to say it, but I expect it from him. There are not many guys on our team that I'd rather have up than him because he can do damage with any kind of pitch. 'I'm always happy when he's up late in big situations.' This was the American League East-leading Blue Jays' 39th comeback win of the season, and second in as many games after Guerrero belted a game-winning two-run homer in the seventh inning for a 2-1 win against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. 'I think the more you do it, the more comfortable you are when you're in that situation,' Schneider said. 'It's not luck. It's hard to do, but like anything, the more you do it, the better you get at it.' Springer, Bieber updates George Springer homered in the second of three at-bats in his rehab start for triple-A Buffalo on Friday and could return to the Blue Jays lineup on Saturday. Righty Shane Bieber pitched seven shutout innings in Buffalo, striking out four with six hits and no walks on 90 pitches. Story continues below advertisement Bieber could make his Blue Jays debut next week, likely on the road against the Miami Marlins next Friday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kirk plays hero, steals first career base in Blue Jays' 6-5 win over Rangers
TORONTO – Alejandro Kirk's late-game heroics resulted in three deafening ovations from the 42,260 inside the Rogers Centre on Friday. The first roar arrived in the seventh inning when the Toronto Blue Jays catcher smacked an opposite-field two-run homer to right. The next inning, the sellout crowd cheered as Kirk delivered a bases-loaded single to left field to score the game-tying and game-winning runs. But the most thunderous praise from the faithful came when Kirk caught the Texas Rangers by surprise and stole his first career base. 'I didn't know what was going on,' Kirk said through an interpreter after the 6-5 win. 'Then I turned around and saw myself (standing at second base) on the scoreboard.' The Blue Jays celebrated along with their low-key teammate's first stolen base. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pulled the base out of the ground and presented Kirk with the keepsake. Kirk stated the memento will soon be on display in his home. He also admitted he was surprised when first-base coach Mark Budzinski told him to steal second. 'I looked around and said, 'Are you serious?'' Kirk said. Budzinski was serious. Kirk made history. He was holding on to the base during his post-game interview. 'The fact that he was holding it on the field post-game is even better,' Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. 'I think they're authenticating it.' Although Toronto starter Chris Bassitt endured a difficult outing, lasting only five innings and giving up an early three-run homer, his night ended on a high note, watching his battery mate's late-game wizardry. 'He's catching (all-time base stealing leader) Rickey (Henderson) slowly,' Bassitt said with a smile. Kirk hit his homer with an 0-1 count and his single with a 1-2 count. 'Kirk, the hitter, is pretty hard to face,' Bassitt said. 'So I hate to say it, but I expect it from him. There are not many guys on our team that I'd rather have up than him because he can do damage with any kind of pitch. 'I'm always happy when he's up late in big situations.' This was the American League East-leading Blue Jays' 39th comeback win of the season, and second in as many games after Guerrero belted a game-winning two-run homer in the seventh inning for a 2-1 win against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. 'I think the more you do it, the more comfortable you are when you're in that situation,' Schneider said. 'It's not luck. It's hard to do, but like anything, the more you do it, the better you get at it.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Springer, Bieber updates George Springer homered in the second of three at-bats in his rehab start for triple-A Buffalo on Friday and could return to the Blue Jays lineup on Saturday. Righty Shane Bieber pitched seven shutout innings in Buffalo, striking out four with six hits and no walks on 90 pitches. Bieber could make his Blue Jays debut next week, likely on the road against the Miami Marlins next Friday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
