Blue Jays Pull Out a Nail-Biter in St. Louis, Extend Road Winning Streak
The Toronto Blue Jays sure know how to keep fans on the edge of their seats when playing away. After taking two of three games against the Minnesota Twins over the weekend, the Jays headed to Missouri for a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, hoping to keep their momentum rolling.
Jose Berrios got the start for Toronto and delivered one of his best outings this season. The right-hander pitched 6⅔ innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out only one batter. Though he wasn’t overpowering with strikeouts, Berrios kept Cardinals hitters off balance, limiting their scoring chances with just two runners reaching second base all game.
The Jays’ offense jumped on Cardinals starter Andre Pallante early. Addison Barger and Alejandro Kirk opened the first inning with singles before George Springer crushed a double to left field, bringing Barger home to put Toronto up 1-0. Later, Bo Bichette singled up the middle, scoring Ernie Clement to extend the lead to 2-0.
That score held until the eighth inning when Kirk showed his power. Facing reliever Riley O’Brien, Kirk launched a 404-foot home run over the center-field wall, pushing the lead to 3-0.
However, the Cardinals fought back in the bottom of the eighth. Reliever Brendon Little allowed a walk and a single with two outs, putting a runner in scoring position. Yariel Rodriguez took over and gave up a key single to Willson Contreras, cutting the deficit. Then Ivan Herrera smashed a hanging slider over the left-field fence to put St. Louis ahead 4-3 late in the game.
With the game on the line in the top of the ninth, Jonatan Clase came through clutch. Facing reliever Ryan Helsley, Clase crushed a 97.8 mph fastball into the left-center stands for his first homer of the season, tying the game and sending it to extra innings.
Toronto kept the pressure in extras. Starting with a runner on second, Kirk drove a double into the corner, scoring a crucial run. Although the Jays loaded the bases, Ernie Clement ended the inning with a double play. Jeff Hoffman then shut the door with a quick three-out save, striking out one and retiring the side on just nine pitches.
All in all, the night belonged to Jose Berrios and Alejandro Kirk. Berrios’ steady pitching and Kirk’s 4-for-5 performance—including a clutch double and home run—powered Toronto’s win. Contributions from Bichette, Guerrero, Barger, Springer, Gimenez, Clement, and Clase rounded out a solid offensive effort.
The Blue Jays look to keep the streak alive tonight when Chris Bassitt takes the mound against Miles Mikolas in the second game of the series.