Anthony Santander hit a three-run homer, and Alan Roden followed with a two-run shot, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. This game featured a significant offensive burst from the Blue Jays, who scored five runs in the fifth inning, with both home runs coming off Atlanta starter Spencer Schwellenbach, who falls to 1-1 on the season.
The inning began with Myles Straw getting on base with a single. He then scored when Roden belted his first career home run, sending a two-run shot over the outfield fence. Following Roden's blast, Bo Bichette doubled, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walked, setting the stage for Santander, who launched his second homer of the year, a no-doubt three-run shot, cementing Toronto's dominance in that frame.
The game also featured a strong performance from Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman, who earned his second win of the season, improving his record to 2-1. Gausman struck out six batters while allowing two earned runs and six hits across six innings. Notably, he did concede solo home runs to Braves' players Austin Riley and Matt Olson, but his overall performance was instrumental in Toronto's win.
Roden also contributed to the scoring early in the game by crossing home plate in the third inning. He beat a throw from Atlanta's Riley while scoring on a chopper hit by Guerrero, showcasing his speed and awareness on the field.
Despite the positive outing from Gausman and the offensive production, Blue Jays reliever Chad Green did give up a solo homer to Ozzie Albies in the ninth inning. This moment highlighted the need for consistent pitching depth as Toronto looks to build on their momentum from this crucial victory.
This win marked a significant milestone for the Blue Jays, pushing their team total of home runs to double digits for the season, as they began the night with only nine home runs, ranking last among the 30 MLB teams. The display of power from Santander and Roden is sure to energize the roster moving forward.
In a special moment during the game, all players donned No. 42 jerseys as a tribute for Jackie Robinson Day, honoring the legacy of the baseball pioneer who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Robinson’s number has been retired across the league since 1997, and this acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the impact he made on the sport.
Prior to the game, Toronto made roster moves to enhance their lineup, recalling utility player Addison Barger from Triple-A Buffalo while placing outfielder Nathan Lukes on the paternity list. Barger, starting in right field and batting seventh, will look to contribute to the team’s success as they navigate a busy schedule.
The series will conclude with a matinee matchup on Wednesday, where the Blue Jays are set to send right-hander Chris Bassitt, who holds a 1-0 record with a 0.98 ERA, to the mound. The Braves, still searching for consistency, have yet to announce their starting pitcher for the game.
