In what’s becoming a trademark of their September resurgence, the Blue Jays orchestrated another late-inning comeback yesterday to complete a sweep of the Oakland Athletics with an 8-4 victory at the Rogers Centre.
The game’s defining moment came in the eighth inning when rookie Addison Barger crushed a three-run home run that sent the crowd of 35,782 into a frenzy. His towering shot to right field turned a nail-biter into what felt like an inevitable Toronto win.
“I was just looking for something I could drive,” Barger told me in the clubhouse afterward, still glowing from the moment. “With runners on, I wanted to be aggressive but smart. When I connected, I knew it was gone.”
The Blue Jays trailed 4-2 entering the eighth before erupting for six runs, turning what had been a frustrating afternoon into a celebration. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. started the rally with a sharp double down the left field line, extending his hitting streak to 12 games.
Manager John Schneider praised his team’s resilience, something that’s been increasingly evident as they fight to stay relevant in the wild card race.
“These guys don’t quit,” Schneider said. “We’ve been talking about playing complete games, and today was exactly that. Even when we were down, the energy in the dugout never wavered.”
Toronto’s bullpen deserves significant credit for the victory, delivering four scoreless innings after starter Kevin Gausman struggled through five frames. Gausman allowed four runs on seven hits, uncharacteristically walking three batters.
Genesis Cabrera earned the win with a perfect eighth inning, while Jordan Romano closed things out despite allowing two baserunners in the ninth.
For Oakland, it was another painful loss in what’s been a challenging season. A’s manager Mark Kotsay lamented his team’s inability to hold the lead.
“We had control of that game through seven,” Kotsay said. “Our bullpen has been solid lately, but Toronto’s offense is dangerous when they get momentum.”
The sweep gives Toronto five consecutive victories, their longest winning streak of the season, and keeps their faint playoff hopes flickering. According to Baseball Reference, the Jays’ playoff odds now sit at approximately 3.7 percent – long odds, but not impossible.
Local fan favorite Bo Bichette, who contributed two hits and scored twice, believes the team is finally playing to its potential.
“This is who we are,” Bichette insisted. “We’ve underperformed most of the season, but we’ve never stopped believing in what this group can do.”
The Blue Jays’ offensive awakening couldn’t come at a better time as they prepare to welcome the New York Yankees to town for a crucial four-game series starting tomorrow. The Yankees currently hold the top wild card spot in the American League.
Toronto needs to continue this momentum to have any chance at a miraculous September push toward the postseason. They’ll need help from other teams along the way, but as yesterday’s comeback demonstrated, counting out these Blue Jays might be premature.
As I watched fans filing out of the Rogers Centre yesterday, the mood was noticeably buoyant. After a season of underachievement and frustration, this sweep offered a glimpse of what might have been – and perhaps what still could be.
“We’ve been waiting all year for this team to play like this,” said longtime fan Melissa Chen, sporting a Guerrero jersey as she headed for the exits. “Even if it’s too little too late for the playoffs, it feels good to see them playing with heart.”
Whether this late-season surge represents a true turning point or merely a teasing glimpse of potential will become clearer in the coming weeks. But for now, Toronto baseball fans have reason to believe again – and in a season that’s delivered more disappointment than jubilation, that feels like a victory in itself.
