Bo Bichette delivers in clutch to help lift Blue Jays to win over Washington Nationals​on April 2, 2025 at 2:20 am

The Bo show was on full display as the Jays would win their first series of the young season before embarking on a difficult road strip that will begin in the Big Apple against the Mets.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Bo Bichette has yet to turn on a pitch by going yard, but his keen hitting eye is back.

His ability to step up in the clutch was front and centre at Rogers Centre Tuesday night on Loonie Dogs Night.

Drama was dripping in the late evening to bring life to a crowd announced at 21,845.
Two outs, two strikes, Bichette lined a ball in the home half of the eighth inning that just went fair down the first-base line to provide the winning hit in a 5-3 Jays’ victory over the Washington Nationals.

Bichette’s two-hit night raised his average to .375 as the home side took advantage of a Washington error to score both of its run in the decisive eighth.

BERRIOS IS BETTER
Compared to his start on opening day against the O’s, Jose Berrios pitched like a Cy Young candidate in his return to the mound.

He was cruising through the first five innings.

Then came the sixth inning and Berrios would make way for Yariel Rodriguez.

Article content

Article content

Through five innings, Berrios had given up one hit, a far cry from the nine-hit, including three homer, night against Baltimore.

Rodriguez played well as did Mason Fluharty, who recorded a strikeout in his big-league start.
Chad Green would be credited with the win, while Jeff Hoffman earned another save.

SANTANDER’S STRUGGLES
Granted, it’s early and any conclusions would be far too premature, but it’s hard to overlook

Anthony Santander’s lack of production.

The Jays lured him in free agency to provide some thump to a lineup desperately in need of a power bat in the middle of the order.

Six games into a season and Andres Gimenez leads the team with three dingers.

The only other player to go yard is Tyler Heineman.

Santander hit into a double play to end first inning Tuesday, struck out in the second and then reached base on an infield hit as his average inched higher to .182.

Article content

He would end the night with a 1-for-4 performance at the plate as his averaged dipped to .174.
Again, it’s early.

GOOD WILL HUNTING
From the moment he arrived following his trade from Houston, Will Wagner has been a hitting machine.

The times he doesn’t make solid contact at the plate are few and far between.

While there’s no definitive spot on the field for Wagner, his bat, especially when facing right-handers, is a must in Toronto’s lineup.

Against Washington, Wagner served as the DH.

He stroked singles in his first two at-bats in raising his average to .412.

No one expects Wagner to hit at this clip, but he continues to show so much poise and confidence when wielding a bat.

The same could be said for Alan Roden, who, like Wagner, reached base on singles in his first two plate appearances.

Wagner was robbed of another hit in the sixth inning when Nats shortstop CJ Abrams made a great play up the middle before throwing to first to barely get Wagner.

The Jays asked for a video review, but the call stood.

Wagner’s attempted sac bunt would be butchered by the Nats, setting the stage for Bichette’s heroics.

Up Next

Jays and Nats wrap up their three-game set with first pitch scheduled to fly at 3:07; all eyes should be on Washington lefty MacKenzie Gore, a 26-year-old who set a Nationals/Expos franchise record for strikeouts on opening day when he fanned 13; unfortunately for Gore, the bullpen didn’t do its job and the Nats would lose to the Phillies

Article content