Barger hits grand slam as Jays pummel Dodgers 11-4 in Game 1

Toronto Blue Jays' Addison Barger, right, celebrates after hitting a grand slam with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. during sixth inning Game 1 World Series playoff MLB baseball action against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Toronto on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays made their long-awaited return to the World Series a triumphant one Friday night by dumping the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 in Game 1 at Rogers Centre.

Daulton Varsho and Alejandro Kirk hit two-run homers and Addison Barger hit the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history in Toronto’s nine-run sixth inning.

• GAME 1 RECAP: Read here

It was the Blue Jays’ first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1993. Game 2 will be played Saturday in Toronto.

Alejandro Kirk had three of Toronto’s 14 hits. Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run homer for the defending champion Dodgers.

Before the game, Bo Bichette returned to the Toronto roster after a seven-week absence due to a knee injury. He had a hit and a walk in two at-bats.

Former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston — who guided the team to World Series titles in 1992 and ’93 — fired up the sellout crowd of 44,353 by throwing the ceremonial first pitch.

Toronto rookie starter Trey Yesavage allowed two earned runs over four innings. Seranthony Dominguez (2-0) got four outs for the win.

Dodgers starter Blake Snell (3-1) gave up five earned runs over five-plus innings.

The series will shift to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Monday and Game 4 on Tuesday.

Takeaways

Blue Jays: Manager John Schneider worked his bench effectively, bringing in Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Nathan Lukes and Barger in the sixth inning. All three players scored in the frame as the Blue Jays pulled away.

Dodgers: Considered the weak point in the potent Dodgers’ roster, the bullpen showed major cracks. Relievers Emmet Sheehan and Anthony Banda gave up three earned runs apiece.

Key moment

Bichette’s first test at second base came in the third inning. Teoscar Hernandez hit a grounder that Bichette speared on the backhand before making a strong cross-body throw to first base for the out.

Key stat

The Blue Jays’ return to the Fall Classic after 32 years ended the eighth-longest active streak in MLB between World Series games played.

Coming up

Toronto’s Kevin Gausman (2-1, 2.00 ERA) was scheduled to start Game 2 against Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 1.83).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2025.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press