logo
Bo Bichette's first-pitch lead-off homer powers Blue Jays to win over White Sox

Bo Bichette's first-pitch lead-off homer powers Blue Jays to win over White Sox

National Post3 hours ago

Bo Bichette batting leadoff is turning into a huge success.
Article content
If he can somehow ease up on his aggressive approach at the plate, which doesn't seem likely, then perhaps this new-found role can be sustained.
Article content
Article content
Regardless, Bichette has been on fire with as he ignited the Blue Jays in Saturday's meeting against the Chicago White Sox under a closed roof at Rogers Centre that did eventually open once the home side opened the floodgates.
Article content
Article content
For the second time in four games, Bichette led off the game with a home run on the first pitch, the third time in five games Bichette has gone deep.
Article content
Following a two-game losing streak, the Blue Jays returned to their winning ways following their 7-1 victory over the ChiSox, who took the series opener with that exact score.
Article content
Bichette leads the Jays in homers (11) and RBI (46).
Article content
The more he keeps hitting, the more unlikely Bichette — a pending free agent — will be moved at next month's trade deadline.
Article content
Keep in mind Bichette did not record his first homer of the season until May 3 when he went yard in a loss to the visiting Cleveland Guardians.
Article content
In the second inning of Saturday's game, the Jays produced five hits during a three-run frame.
Article content
Article content
The hitting onslaught began when George Springer led off the inning on a sharp line drive into left field.
Article content
Following injuries to Daulton Varsho (hamstring) and Anthony Santander (shoulder), the Jays' lineup has undergone change, including the reappearance of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. into the No. 3 hole.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The one constant has been Bichette, who has reasserted his elite status.
Article content
Davis Schneider was inserted and he came through by driving in the Jays' third run of the game, the first of three RBI on the afternoon for the left-fielder.
Article content

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Abbotsford Canucks Live: Game 5 goes tonight, will Abby take the cup?
Abbotsford Canucks Live: Game 5 goes tonight, will Abby take the cup?

National Post

time38 minutes ago

  • National Post

Abbotsford Canucks Live: Game 5 goes tonight, will Abby take the cup?

The Abbotsford Canucks take their crack at bringing home the Calder Cup in front of their fans tonight. Article content The Vancouver Canucks farm team carries a 3-1 lead on the Charlotte Checkers into Game 5 of their best-of-seven AHL championship at the Abbotsford Centre, with a 6 p.m. start. Article content Game 6, if necessary, would be Monday (4 p.m.) in Charlotte, N.C., and a Game 7, if required, would go next Wednesday (4 p.m.) there. Article content Abbotsford (24-11-0-1) had the AHL's fifth-best home record during the regular season. Charlotte (23-9-1-3) had the third-best road record. Abbotsford is now 10-2 at home in these playoffs. The Checkers (44-22-3-3) came in fourth in the league in the regular season, two points before the fifth-place Canucks (44-24-2-2).This is the fourth year that Vancouver has had its AHL team in Abbotsford. They are five rounds into these playoffs. They went a total of five rounds in the previous three years combined. Article content The last Vancouver AHL affiliate to get this deep into playoffs was the 2015 Utica Comets team that made it to the league finale. Article content Article content Article content Article content The #CalderCup has arrived in Abbotsford. Thanks to @TheAHL for allowing me the chance to be so close to its beauty. The #Canucks have a chance to capture this gorgeous crown tonight — Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) June 21, 2025 Article content Article content 4:21 p.m. Article content Walking into the Abby Centre for the final time this season! 🤩 — X - Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) June 21, 2025

Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle accused of abuse by wife, MLB investigating
Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle accused of abuse by wife, MLB investigating

National Post

timean hour ago

  • National Post

Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle accused of abuse by wife, MLB investigating

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants said Major League Baseball is looking into allegations of abuse made by the wife of reliever Sean Hjelle. Article content Caroline Hjelle made a post on TikTok on Friday of her with the couple's two children with a caption that said: 'When my MLB husband abandons us on Mothers Day a week after this (video was taken) once I finally found about his affairs and stopped putting up with his abuse, so I've been raising two boys alone.' Article content Article content Hjelle said after Saturday's game that he had no comment on the allegations, adding that he and his wife are in the process of finalizing their divorce. Article content 'I feel confident in saying that I will have one eventually,' he said. 'I don't have an exact timeline on that. But I would like to actually meet with the people that are handling the situation with me and for me before I actually make an official statement.' Article content The Giants said in a statement Saturday that they are 'aware of these serious allegations' and that MLB is handling it. Article content Manager Bob Melvin said before Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox that Hjelle would be available to pitch. Article content

Bichette aggressive as Blue Jays' leadoff hitter
Bichette aggressive as Blue Jays' leadoff hitter

Global News

time2 hours ago

  • Global News

Bichette aggressive as Blue Jays' leadoff hitter

TORONTO – In just seven weeks Bo Bichette has gone from no home runs to leading the Toronto Blue Jays in round trippers. Bichette smashed the first pitch he saw over the wall in centre field on Saturday for his 11th homer of the year as Toronto routed the Chicago White Sox 7-1. The 27-year-old shortstop couldn't really explain what's changed for him since he hit his first homer on May 3 after not having any for the first 16 games of the Blue Jays' season. 'I think just every season is kind of different,' said Bichette. 'I started the year getting a lot of hits and competing really well with no power, and then started hitting for some power. 'I don't know. I mean, sometimes it just takes one to kind of understand the feeling and then go through the season and try to put it all together.' Story continues below advertisement Just 76 games into the season and Bichette's already matched or exceeded the home run output in three of his other seasons (2019, 2020, 2024). His best-ever year for power at the plate was when he had 29 homers in 2021. He moved ahead of George Springer (10) for most home runs on the Blue Jays this season with his first-inning blast on Saturday. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I'm just trying to go out there and compete every day and do as best I can,' said Bichette. The 35-year-old Springer, who batted fifth on Saturday, has been a leadoff hitter for most of his 12 years in Major League Baseball. Springer's 60 leadoff home runs are second on the all-time list behind Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson (81). Bichette said that Springer's been giving him some advice on how to hit for power when leading off. Story continues below advertisement 'He's one of the best of all time to do it and he's helped me,' said Bichette, who has two leadoff homers in the past four games. 'Most of it has been how to manage knowing you're probably getting a fastball and maybe not being too excited about it but also being ready for it.' Toronto manager John Schneider said that as much as Springer has helped, Bichette's also just a natural. 'Bo can do that, he's that talented of a hitter,' said Schneider. 'The leadoff spot is a tricky one, because you're probably gonna get a first pitch fastball. 'You have to be kind of on time and do your homework a little bit.' BERRIOS DELIVERS — Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios (3-3) allowed one unearned run on two hits and three walks over 7 2/3 innings, striking out five. The quality start was critical after Toronto used seven relief pitchers in Friday's 7-1 loss, a scheduled bullpen day. Berrios threw 95 pitches and earned a standing ovation from the 41,488 fans at Rogers Centre when he left the game in the eighth inning. 'I came in today having that on my mind, but also it's my day,' said Berrios. 'This is my job, and that's my goal, trying to be longer in the game. Story continues below advertisement 'I was able to throw seven and two outs today, and I helped, so I'm happy.' Schneider was impressed with how varied Berrios's arsenal of pitches were in the outing. 'He's using both sides of the plate, good mix of his pitches, stick in his heater when he needs to,' said Schneider. 'The strikeouts late, I think were huge for him, too. 'He's been consistent all year, and today was exactly what we needed.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2025.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store