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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
6 hours ago
- Global News
Redblacks edge unbeaten Stampeders 20-12 for first win of CFL season
Dustin Crum tossed a seven-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Adeboboye in the fourth quarter to secure a 20-12 CFL victory for the Ottawa Redblacks over the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Until Adeboboye hauled in the game's only TD pass with 5:02 left on the clock, both teams had to settle for points off of field goals, singles and one safety by the Stamps on a cold, windy and rainy afternoon in front of far less than the official announced attendance of 16,584. Lewis Ward kicked four field goals for the Redblacks (1-2), while Richie Leone added a single. Rene Paredes finished the game with three field goals for the Stampeders (2-1), while Fraser Masin had a single. Jaylon Hutchings tackled Crum in the end zone for a safety to account for Calgary's other two points. The Redblacks opened the scoring at 5:46 of the first quarter with a 34-yard field goal by Lewis. Story continues below advertisement The Stamps had a chance to pull into a 3-3 tie a short time later but Parades missed a 43-yard field goal wide to the right. 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 Instead of conceding the single point, Ottawa's Devonte Dedmon chose to run the ball out of the end zone. Following an illegal block penalty to Robert Priestner, the Redblacks were forced to start their drive on their own one-yard line. Two plays later, Hutchings sacked Crum in the end zone for a safety to pull the Stamps within a point. On the ensuing drive, the Stamps drove down to Ottawa's seven-yard line, but ended up turning over the ball on downs after Clark Barnes wasn't able to haul in a pass from Adams in the end zone. The miscues Calgary continued in the second as quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. fumbled the ball right into the hands of Ottawa defensive back Amari Henderson at midfield before Priestner atoned for his earlier penalty by tackling backup Calgary quarterback P.J. Walker on the one-yard line for another turnover on downs for the Stamps. This time, the Redblacks avoided another safety and instead Crum engineered an 11-play, 95-yard drive that was capped off by Ward kicking a 22-yard field goal to give Ottawa a 6-2 lead. After Masin kicked a 77-yard single early in the third quarter, Ward responded with a 27-yard field goal before Paredes did his part for the Stamps by splitting the uprights from 42 yards out. Story continues below advertisement Ward then booted a 33-yard field goal before Paredes kicked one from 51 yards out with 41 seconds left in the third quarter. After Richie Leone booted a 72-yard punt single early in the fourth quarter to put the Redblacks up 13-9, Paredes responded with a 42-yard field goal to pull the Stamps within a point. After Adeboboye's TD grab, Ward's field-goal attempt from 49 yards out bounced of the left upright and wide to give the Stamps another chance to tie the game. Although Adams completed three straight passes — two of them to former Redblack receiver Dominic Rymes — to get Calgary into Ottawa territory, the Calgary quarterback wasn't able to find an open receiver in the end zone to complete his first touchdown pass of the season. UP NEXT Redblacks: Host the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, June 29. Stampeders: Host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday, July 3.
Global News
6 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.
CBC
7 hours ago
- CBC
Riders down Argos 39-32 after Alford's 99-yard kickoff return
Social Sharing As Corey Mace prepared for overtime, Mario Alford took matters into his own hands. Alford's 99-yard kickoff return touchdown with nine seconds remaining in regulation time rallied the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a stirring 39-32 CFL win over the ailing Toronto Argonauts on Friday night. Alford's heroics came after Toronto's Nick Arbuckle capped a 70-yard, nine-play drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Mital. Arbuckle then found Dejon Brissett for the two-point convert to make it 32-32. And that had Mace, the Riders head coach, looking ahead to overtime. "Honestly, I was looking at my overtime sheet," Mace said. "I did think we had a chance, depending on how far we get the return whether we're going to play for overtime or be able to go kick [the game-winning field goal]. "Special teams did the rest. To have a walk-off like that was incredible." Arbuckle was 26-of-33 passing for 259 yards with two TDs and an interception. Mital had seven catches for 98 yards and the touchdown. Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie cited two factors that worked against his club on Alford's return. First, he said game officials missed an illegal block that Dinwiddie couldn't challenge. Secondly, Toronto's kickoff team only had 11 men on the field. "Special teams, I thought, was pretty bad for a third week in a row," Dinwiddie said. "We've got to get that fixed." Ironically, it was Saskatchewan's special teams that allowed Toronto (0-3) an opportunity to force overtime. Arbuckle's heroics came after Brett Lauther missed a 33-yard field goal at 12:58 to put the Riders (3-0) ahead 32-24. Lauther missed three field goals and a convert in last week's 28-23 road win over Hamilton. "We would've been happy to get a decent return and play for a game-winner off Number 12 [Lauther]," Mace said. "We still would've put the trust in him. That's our guy and he'll continue to be our guy." Tommy Stevens' two-yard scoring run at 4:38 put Saskatchewan ahead 31-21. Lirim Hajrullahu's 25-yard field goal at 8:02 pulled Toronto to within 31-24. Saskatchewan's wins have all come against East Division teams. Trevor Harris completed 13-of-17 passes for 234 yards with two TDs and an interception while Dohnte Meyers had four catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. "It seems like every game there's something going on that surprises us and brings some wild circumstances and tonight was no different," Harris said. "I'm just super happy for Mario, he's just an explosive returner." 'Selfish penalties': Dinwiddie A.J. Ouellette ran for 91 yards and a TD on 17 carries. But the teams combined for 29 penalties for 307 yards (Saskatchewan had 18 for 178 yards, Toronto had 11 for 129 yards) before a BMO Field gathering of 12,025. Saskatchewan had eight penalties for 125 yards combined over its first contests. "That goes to show you in this league you make it really tough to win when you're giving away free yards," Mace said. "We obviously have to get better at that, but to walk out of here with a win on a short week, we'll feel good about that." Dinwiddie didn't hide his disdain for Toronto's lack of on-field discipline. "I'm pretty embarrassed by it," he said. "They [Riders] were chirping all game. We got involved in the chirping game and it cost us. "We had selfish penalties, that's the one thing I hate. It isn't about you, it's about the team. We aren't even close to being there. We don't know how to not lose games. It's not about winning games, [it's] not losing games." Toronto — 0-3 for the first time since 2019 — came into the contest short-handed. Quarterback Chad Kelly (leg) and receiver/returner Janarion Grant both missed their third straight game for Toronto. Joining them among the Argos walking wounded were linebackers Wynton McManis (knee) and Jack Cassar (adductor), running back Deonta McMahon (ankle), receiver DaVaris Daniels (hip), defensive lineman Demarcus Christmas (Achilles) and offensive linemen Sage Doxtater (knee), Dylan Giffen (back) and Darius Ciraco (foot). Then in the first half, Toronto lost linebacker Kenneth George Jr. (leg) and defensive lineman Derek Parish (foot). Brissett and Jarret Doege also scored touchdowns for Toronto. Jake Herslow added a two-point convert while Hajrullahu booted a convert and three field goals. Lauther kicked five converts and a field goal. Hajrullahu's 24-yard field goal at 8:42 of the third pulled Toronto to within 24-13. Doege scored on a one-yard run at 12:59 before Arbuckle hit Herslow for the two-point convert to cut Saskatchewan's lead to 24-21. Harris threw a 70-yard TD strike to Meyers at 1:16, giving the Riders a 24-10 advantage. Hajrullahu's 56-yard field goal to end the second quarter cut Saskatchewan's halftime lead to 17-10. It followed the Riders' goal-line stand with 56 seconds left as Kevin Brown was stopped at the one-yard line to end a 17-play, 97-yard drive. Lauther gave Saskatchewan a 17-7 advantage with a 16-yard boot at 1:25. Harris put Saskatchewan ahead 14-7 with a 32-yard TD pass to Meyers at 11:54 of the first. It was set up by Alford's 35-yard punt return. Ouellette had a 25-yard TD run at 8:26. Arbuckle opened the scoring with a five-yard TD pass to Brissett at 4:50. The Roughriders will host the B.C. Lions on Saturday, June 28. The Argonauts will next visit Ottawa to face the Redblacks on Sunday, June 29.
