logo
Instant Reaction: Chad Dallas makes MLB debut in Blue Jays’ 7-2 victory over Braves
alt
Photo credit: © Mady Mertens-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jun 5, 2026, 07:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 5, 2026, 10:17 EDT
Comments
At least the Toronto Blue Jays avoided the sweep.
On Thursday evening, the Blue Jays played the third and final game against the best team in Major League Baseball, the Atlanta Braves. Despite Chris Sale on the mound and their struggles against left-handed pitching, the Blue Jays pulled out a 7-2 win to move to 30-33 on the season. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one.
Much like Wednesday’s game, things started off great for the Blue Jays, as George Springer led off the top of the first with a double, followed by Ernie Clement’s single to put two on. However, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. flew out, followed by strikeouts from Kazuma Okamoto and Charles McAdoo.
They had Sale on the ropes again in the second, getting runners on first and second with one out, but Yohendrick Piñango struck out and Springer flew out. 
Fortunately, they were able to break through in the third, as Guerrero Jr. hit a double and Okamoto hit a single. McAdoo hit an RBI single for the Jays’ first run. Lukes was hit by a pitch to load the bases, then Myles Straw drove in two thanks to an RBI single.
The Braves responded with a run in the bottom half of the third, the lone blemish over Chad Dallas’ three and two-thirds innings of work. Tyler Rogers and Jeff Hoffman each pitched scoreless innings, but Braydon Fisher gave up a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, prompting the Jays to turn to Louis Varland for the final four outs.
Thankfully, the Jays were able to score an insurance run and then some, as they hung a four spot on Reynaldo López in the top of the ninth. Lukes and Straw each drove in one with an RBI single, while Tyler Heineman drove in the Blue Jays’ final two runs.
Varland returned for the bottom of the ninth and retired the final three batters. Since he entered in a save situation in the eighth, the reliever is now 9/9 in save opportunities and has a 0.28 ERA.

Takeaways…

Chad Dallas, the Blue Jays’ fourth-round pick in 2021, made his big league debut on Thursday. Over three and two-thirds innings of work, the 25-year-old gave up one earned run, struck out two, and walked two. He also generated seven whiffs, six fewer than Chris Sale’s total.
It was another well executed bullpen day by the team. Mason Fluharty started the game, going one and one-third innings with a walk and a strikeout. Tyler Rogers picked up his 12th hold of the season, pitching another scoreless innings. Jeff Hoffman had a nice rebound outing, striking out a batter in a perfect inning.
Braydon Fisher gave up the other earned run that the Braves scored, but his ERA still sits at a terrific 2.62. And of course, Louis Varland was terrific in this outing, dropping his season ERA to 0.28. Not much else needs to be said.
This game was one of the best offensive performances by the Jays, amassing 16 hits. While they didn’t hit a home run, George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Tyler Heineman all hit doubles. Guerrero Jr., and Ernie Clement had three hit games, while Kazuma Okamoto, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, and Tyler Heineman all had two hits. It was a very 2025 Blue Jays-esque game.
Last weekend, the Blue Jays reached .500 for the first time since early April thanks to taking the first two from the Baltimore Orioles. Unfortunately, they dropped the final two games, which kick-started a four-game losing streak that was snapped on Thursday evening.
Well, they’ll have a chance to reach .500 yet again, but it requires a sweep of the Orioles at home over the weekend. Friday’s series opener has a 7:07 PM ET start time, with Trey Yesavage getting the start.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
News
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News