Barger’s Historic Pinch-Hit Slam Powers Blue Jays Past Dodgers
What a night it was at Rogers Centre! The Toronto Blue Jays delivered a performance that will be remembered for generations, and it all came together in one unforgettable inning. Addison Barger made history on Friday by hitting the first-ever pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, helping Toronto rout the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 in Game 1 of the 2025 Fall Classic.
The game had been competitive for the first five and a half innings, with the Dodgers’ ace Blake Snell looking like the postseason powerhouse he had been all year. But in the sixth inning, everything changed. Snell struggled, walking three and allowing hits to multiple batters before leaving with the bases loaded and no outs. The inning was already teetering out of control when Emmet Sheehan and Anthony Banda were called in to stop the damage, but that’s when Barger stepped up.
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The moment was surreal. Barger, who had only homered once off a left-handed pitcher all season, connected perfectly against Banda, sending the ball soaring for a grand slam. The crowd erupted, and the energy in the stadium was electric. Alejandro Kirk followed it up with a two-run homer, extending the Blue Jays’ lead and ensuring the inning would be remembered as “The Inning.” By the time it was over, Toronto had scored nine runs in the frame, marking one of the most dominant offensive displays in World Series history.
Manager John Schneider admitted afterward that the strategy behind Barger’s at-bat was initially to set up Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but Barger went beyond expectations. “So that was a little bit more than what we could have hoped for,” Schneider said, grinning. And the celebration was not just about the big hit—it was a snapshot of this team’s chemistry. Veterans, superstars, and young players all contribute naturally, making the Blue Jays’ clubhouse one of spontaneity and energy.
Even the return of Bo Bichette after a knee sprain added to the excitement, as he made solid plays both at the plate and in the field. Rookie Trey Yesavage pitched through four innings, giving the Blue Jays a fighting chance to stay in the game until the bats fully exploded. By the end, the Dodgers were left reeling, with their bullpen taking its first loss of the postseason, raising questions about how they would respond in Game 2.
For Barger, the moment was life-changing. He had slept on a teammate’s couch the night before, and less than 24 hours later, he made baseball history in front of a delirious home crowd. His grand slam will be remembered as a defining moment in the 2025 World Series, and the Blue Jays now sit just three wins away from claiming their first championship since 1993. The series is far from over, but Game 1 will forever be remembered as the night Barger and Toronto’s lineup made history.
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