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Blue Jays series recap: Everything clicked for the Jays in their sweep of the Padres
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Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
May 23, 2025, 10:00 EDTUpdated: May 23, 2025, 07:24 EDT
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Did the Toronto Blue Jays ever need a series like that?
From Tuesday until Thursday, the Blue Jays hosted the San Diego Padres, picking up their third sweep of the season in dominant fashion.
It was pitching that earned the Jays the win on Tuesday, as they won in a shutout for the first time this season, as the Jays’ offence was held to just three hits. The good news is that two of those hits were home runs, coming off the bats of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander.
Wednesday’s game was another shutout, but the Blue Jays scored a season-high 14 runs. Nathan Lukes and Daulton Varsho hit home runs, the latter hitting a grand slam for his team-leading seventh home run. In total, the Jays compiled 14 hits and were 7-15 with runners in scoring position, with two innings with five or more runs scored.
The Jays allowed runs in Thursday’s series final, but were able to pull out a 7-6 win in 11 innings after tying the game in both the 10th and 11th. Addison Barger was the Jays’ big performer in this game, while Varsho hit the game-tying triple in the 11th, and Lukes walked it off. All but one reliever (Jose Urena) was used in this game.
It’s safe to say that the bats had a good game. Jonatan Clase got some playing time in this series, walking three times and finishing with three hits for a team-leading 398 wRC+ against the Padres. Lukes also had a strong series, batting .400 and hitting a home run plus a walk-off single in his 14 plate appearances. He’s earned a spot as a regular.
Barger finished with a 250 wRC+ in 14 plate appearances, and Anthony Santander had a 230 wRC+ in six plate appearances. Despite each hitting a home run, Guerrero Jr. and Varsho finished with a 68 and 67 wRC+, respectively. Alejandro Kirk, Tyler Heineman, and George Springer all finished with a wRC+ above 100.
Bo Bichette slashed .250/.250/.250 in 16 plate appearances for a 39 wRC+, while Ernie Clement also had a rough series at the plate, finishing with an 8 wRC+ in 14 plate appearances. Hopefully those two can have a better series over the weekend.
The Jays’ relievers were good in the series. Brendon Little, Yariel Rodriguez, Urena, Mason Fluharty, Yimi Garcia, Chad Green, and Braydon Fisher all pitched scoreless outings, ranging from 2.2 innings pitched to 0.2 innings pitched. Jeff Hoffman was the lone reliever to give up a run, blowing a save on Thursday thanks to a lead-off walk and a Gavin Sheets homer.
Kevin Gausman had a strong start, pitching seven innings with no runs allowed, just the second time he’s pitched a scoreless outing. Chris Bassitt also had a strong outing, going six innings with no runs allowed. In the series finale, Bowden Francis gave up a two-run home run to Sheets in the second inning, but went four innings with three walks and four strikeouts. Not the best start, but better than what he’s been doing lately.
That ended the longest Blue Jays home stand this season. Up next, they head to Tampa Bay to face the Tampa Bay Rays. It’ll be the first time the Jays play at George M. Steinbrenner Field, as Tropicana Field sustained heavy damage in a hurricane last fall, forcing the Rays to play in the New York Yankees’ minor league stadium.
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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