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Instant Reaction: Blue Jays smash Tigers 11-4 in series opener
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Photo credit: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jul 24, 2025, 21:30 EDTUpdated: Jul 25, 2025, 01:10 EDT
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What else can you say about the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays?
On Thursday evening, they defeated the Detroit Tigers 11-4, moving their season record to 61-42. By the end of the night, they’ll be, at worst, tied with the Houston Astros for the best record in the American League. Let’s take a look at how this one went!
In the bottom of the first, Jahmai Jones hit a solo home run to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. That lead would stick until the top of the sixth, when the Jays mounted a big inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a double that scored George Springer, and after Addison Barger was intentionally walked, Ernie Clement punished the Tigers with a three-run home run to make it 4-1.
The next batter, Joey Loperfido, went deep for his second home run of the season. He’s been terrific since being recalled. In the following inning, Guerrero Jr. hit an RBI single to make it 6-1, followed by an Addison Barger triple that made it 8-1. Clement hit a sacrifice fly to give the Jays a 9-1 lead.
Toronto scored two more runs in the top of the eighth, as Nathan Lukes hit his sixth home run of the season to make it 11-1. Chad Green gave up three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn’t even close to enough as the Jays pulled out their sixth win in seven games since the All-Star break.

Takeaways…

Is it a hot take to say Eric Lauer is the team’s most valuable player this season? Early in the season, the backend of the rotation was a huge question mark for the Jays, but the left-handed pitcher has stepped up and has a 2.61 ERA and 3.32 FIP in 69 innings pitched. On Thursday, he went eight innings, giving up just one earned run.
The Jays had 15 hits in this game, so it’s no surprise that every starter had at least one hit. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits, one being the game-tying run in the top of the sixth. Ernie Clement had two hits, including his fifth home run of the season, as did Joey Loperfido and Nathan Lukes, each player also hit a home run. Will Wagner had a two-hit game as well.
In the Yankees series, the Blue Jays used just five relief pitchers, with only Jeff Hoffman and Mason Fluharty pitching two innings. On Thursday, Chad Green was the only reliever to pitch, meaning the Jays’ bullpen will be well-rested for the remainder of the series.
That said, Green’s outing was not good, giving up a solo home run and two additional runs to bring his season ERA to 4.29. His 12 home runs given up this season are tied for the most in the big leagues, with Hoffman not far behind with 10.
The Yankees weren’t in action on Thursday, so the Jays now have a 4.5 game lead for the division lead. If the Houston Astros lose on Thursday, the Jays will have sole possession of first in the American League. They are also just a half-game behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in MLB.
They’ll play the second of four against the Tigers on Friday at 7:10 PM ET. José Berríos is the Jays’ expected starter.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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