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Blue Jays Secure 5-2 Victory Over Nationals in Interleague Showdown
TORONTO – In a dynamic interleague matchup, the Toronto Blue Jays emerged victorious against the Washington Nationals with a score of 5-2 on Monday. The performance showcased both offensive prowess and strategic pitching.
Andres Gimenez continued his impressive form by hitting his third home run in a span of five games. His contributions did not stop there; he also walked, was hit by a pitch, achieved his 100th career stolen base, and recorded a double throughout the game.
Bowden Francis, making a commendable season debut, allowed only two hits over six innings of play. Despite entering the sixth inning with a no-hitter, he surrendered back-to-back solo home runs to C.J. Abrams and James Woods with one out, narrowing Toronto’s lead to 4-2. Francis finished the game with four strikeouts and three walks while throwing a total of 91 pitches.
The Nationals’ starter, Canadian Michael Soroka, faced challenges during his outing. After five innings of work, where he allowed four earned runs alongside one walk and three strikeouts, he exited the game due to discomfort felt early in the sixth. Soroka’s performance amounted to 83 pitches.
The 27-year-old right-hander from Calgary, who signed a one-year contract worth $9 million in December, is now the fourth Canadian to don the Nationals uniform since 2005, following notable players such as Shawn Hill, Pete Orr, and Matt Stairs.
The Blue Jays, boasting a record of 3-2, demonstrated solid offensive performance with runs scored in the third, fourth, and eighth innings, thrilling an announced crowd of 20,137 at Rogers Centre. This particular game also featured a special giveaway night honoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Silver Slugger Award, where he made a mark with an RBI double in the third inning. Yimi Garcia wrapped up the game by pitching a flawless ninth inning for the save.
Toronto split its first four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles, whereas Washington faced setbacks, losing two of three at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Key Moments and Statistics
A highlight of the game was Gimenez’s powerful swing, connecting on a 3-1 pitch from Soroka that soared 381 feet over the right-field fence, marking the beginning of the second inning. Remarkably, Gimenez, who hit nine home runs in 152 games last season, has now accounted for three of the Blue Jays’ first four long balls of the 2025 season, making him the first player in franchise history to hit three homers within the first five games.
Key Stat: Francis successfully retired 16 of the initial 18 batters he faced, with his only blemishes being walks in the first and third innings.
Medical Updates and Looking Ahead
In team news, veteran starter Max Scherzer has returned from a consultation with a hand specialist in Pennsylvania, with further assessments expected on Tuesday regarding his condition. Pitchers Ryan Burr and Erik Swanson are both in rehab progress, working on their throws. Meanwhile, outfielder Daulton Varsho is actively participating in designated hitter roles and defensive play in minor league games as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
As the series continues, the Blue Jays and the Nationals are set to face off again on Tuesday, with Jose Berrios taking the mound for Toronto and Trevor Williams starting for Washington.
Source
globalnews.ca