The Toronto Blue Jays executed small ball to perfection.

On Friday evening, the Jays started the first of three games against the Seattle Mariners, defeating them 3-1 to move to 12-8 this season. Let’s take a look at what happened in this one!
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After a scoreless top of the first, the Blue Jays had their chance to bat that inning. Bo Bichette hit a single to lead off the inning, stole second, and was moved to third by a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. groundout. The next batter, Anthony Santander, drove him in with a sacrifice fly.
Former Blue Jay Rowdy Tellez hit a game-tying solo home run in the top of the second, ambushing a first-pitch fastball from Bowden Francis. However, the Jays restored their lead in the bottom of the second as George Springer led off the inning with a single, Alejandro Kirk walked, and Will Wagner hit a single. That gave Alan Roden a chance to swing the bat, and he drove in Springer with another sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the fourth, Springer led off the inning with a double. After Addison Barger lined out, Alejandro Kirk drove in Springer to give the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead. That’s all they needed as their pitching closed out the win the rest of the way.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Alejandro Kirk: Hitter <a href="https://t.co/N1dtn8Xs9Q">pic.twitter.com/N1dtn8Xs9Q</a>
&mdash; Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1913383756485857324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h2>Takeaways…</h2>
Addison Barger went 0-4, nearly hitting two home runs in his first two plate appearances. More importantly, he picked up three outfield assists, which ties a Blue Jays record by Bob Bailer, set in the first month of the Blue Jays franchise history (April 20, 1977). The Major League Baseball record for most outfield assists in a game is four, set by numerous players, but the last time that happened was in 1931. Barger may be an outfielder moving forward.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
There&#39;s an absolute CANNON in RF named Addison Barger 💪 <a href="https://t.co/GenNaW0Hjd">pic.twitter.com/GenNaW0Hjd</a>
&mdash; Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1913386342303646007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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George Springer continues to swing a hot bat, hitting a double and a single while scoring two of the three Blue Jays’ runs this game. Will Wagner also had two hits, both singles, while Bo Bichette, Anthony Santander, and Alejandro Kirk all hit singles.
It took the Jays a few years, but they finally learned how to win with small ball. Yeah, they relied on it heavily in 2023 with successful pitching, but the Jays have won most of their games this season by driving in runners with singles and sacrifice flies. You didn&#8217;t see them do that a whole lot in 2023.
Pitching has helped, both in 2023 and in Friday’s game. Bowden Francis threw six innings, giving up five hits and one earned run, walking one and striking out five to bring his season ERA to 3.13. Former Blue Jay Rowdy Tellez was the only blemish, and both he and Francis were involved in a trade together back in 2021.
The bullpen closed the door on the Mariners, not allowing a hit in their three innings of work. Mason Fluharty walked a batter, and Yimi García plunked Julio Rodríguez, but those were the only base runners the Mariners had after the sixth inning. Good stuff.
Up next for the Jays is a showdown with the Mariners on Saturday at 3:07 PM ET. José Berríos is the expected starter for the Jays as they hunt down their fourth series win of the season.
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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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The Toronto Blue Jays executed small ball to perfection.



On Friday evening, the Jays started the first of three games against the Seattle Mariners, defeating them 3-1 to move to 12-8 this season. Let’s take a look at what happened in this one!
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After a scoreless top of the first, the Blue Jays had their chance to bat that inning. Bo Bichette hit a single to lead off the inning, stole second, and was moved to third by a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. groundout. The next batter, Anthony Santander, drove him in with a sacrifice fly.

Former Blue Jay Rowdy Tellez hit a game-tying solo home run in the top of the second, ambushing a first-pitch fastball from Bowden Francis. However, the Jays restored their lead in the bottom of the second as George Springer led off the inning with a single, Alejandro Kirk walked, and Will Wagner hit a single. That gave Alan Roden a chance to swing the bat, and he drove in Springer with another sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the fourth, Springer led off the inning with a double. After Addison Barger lined out, Alejandro Kirk drove in Springer to give the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead. That’s all they needed as their pitching closed out the win the rest of the way.

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1913383756485857324
<h2>Takeaways…</h2>
Addison Barger went 0-4, nearly hitting two home runs in his first two plate appearances. More importantly, he picked up three outfield assists, which ties a Blue Jays record by Bob Bailer, set in the first month of the Blue Jays franchise history (April 20, 1977). The Major League Baseball record for most outfield assists in a game is four, set by numerous players, but the last time that happened was in 1931. Barger may be an outfielder moving forward.

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1913386342303646007

George Springer continues to swing a hot bat, hitting a double and a single while scoring two of the three Blue Jays’ runs this game. Will Wagner also had two hits, both singles, while Bo Bichette, Anthony Santander, and Alejandro Kirk all hit singles.

It took the Jays a few years, but they finally learned how to win with small ball. Yeah, they relied on it heavily in 2023 with successful pitching, but the Jays have won most of their games this season by driving in runners with singles and sacrifice flies. You didn't see them do that a whole lot in 2023.

Pitching has helped, both in 2023 and in Friday’s game. Bowden Francis threw six innings, giving up five hits and one earned run, walking one and striking out five to bring his season ERA to 3.13. Former Blue Jay Rowdy Tellez was the only blemish, and both he and Francis were involved in a trade together back in 2021.

The bullpen closed the door on the Mariners, not allowing a hit in their three innings of work. Mason Fluharty walked a batter, and Yimi García plunked Julio Rodríguez, but those were the only base runners the Mariners had after the sixth inning. Good stuff.

Up next for the Jays is a showdown with the Mariners on Saturday at 3:07 PM ET. José Berríos is the expected starter for the Jays as they hunt down their fourth series win of the season.

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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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