It was a night to remember for Shane Bieber.

The veteran right-hander was brilliant in his debut start for the Toronto Blue Jays, scattering just two hits and one run with nine strikeouts and zero walks across six sparkling innings in a 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game series at Loan Depot Park.

Bieber was making his first start since April 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Blue Jays acquired Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline, hoping the 2020 AL Cy Young winner would raise the ceiling on the club’s starting rotation.

Bieber carved up the Marlins over 87 pitches, inducing an impressive 15 whiffs on 41 swings (37%). His slider was particularly devastating, drawing seven whiffs on 17 swings (41%). Bieber’s average fastball velocity was 92.7 mph, a notable increase from each of the last two seasons.

Bieber’s changeup was also a notable weapon, getting a whiff four times on six swings. He threw the pitch just 11 times, but could deploy it more if it proves to be an effective offering moving forward.

The Blue Jays’ bats did a nice job giving Bieber some early run support, striking for a three-spot in the top of the first inning. Daulton Varsho drove in the game’s first run with an RBI double before Ty France followed with a two-run single.

Varsho continued his big night with a monstrous two-run home run off Marlins right-hander Ryan Gusto in the top of the sixth to give the Blue Jays some insurance.

The Blue Jays bullpen did a solid job in relief of Bieber, with only Yariel Rodríguez allowing a run in the bottom of the eighth inning on a solo home run.

Closer Jeff Hoffman continued his recent run of strong results, retiring the Marlins for his 28th save of the season. Hoffman has put together five consecutive quality appearances after walking five in a blown save against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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