Bichette and Barger hit back-to-back walk-off homers on June 18, 2025, to give the Blue Jays a 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Relive the stunning finish!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it felt like another frustrating loss was inevitable, the Rogers Centre erupted. Trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, Bo Bichette launched a game-tying solo shot. Before the crowd of 38,537 could even catch its breath, Addison Barger followed with a towering blast of his own, sealing a dramatic 5-4 walk-off victory and snapping a three-game skid in the most electrifying way possible.
'I just don't want to play extras. I don't think anybody wants to play extra. So that's all the motivation I really need.' - Addison Barger
The win was a masterclass from the top of the lineup, validating manager John Schneider's decision to move Addison Barger into the two-hole for the first time. The top three of Bichette, Barger, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were relentless. Vladdy was a force all night, racking up three hits including a homer and three RBIs. But it was the ninth inning that will be replayed for weeks. Bichette's clutch homer off Shelby Miller tied it, and Barger's follow-up shot was a no-doubter, a pure display of power that gave the Jays a much-needed jolt of energy.
The thrilling victory came on the heels of a significant pitching staff shakeup. The team placed starter Bowden Francis on the 15-day IL with a shoulder issue, leaving a second hole in the starting rotation. In a more surprising move, reliever Erik Swanson was designated for assignment, signaling the front office's impatience with the bullpen's inconsistency. These moves create both opportunity and uncertainty. Who will fill Francis's spot? And how will the reconfigured bullpen hold up?
While the win was sweet, it may have come at a cost. The Blue Jays' outfield depth is now a major concern after two center fielders sustained injuries. Myles Straw took the worst of it, slamming hard into the wall while chasing a deep drive. The team overcame the setbacks to win, but their defensive alignment will be tested in the coming days as they await updates on the severity of the injuries.
Every win and every roster move this season is viewed through the lens of 2025, when the contracts for both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette expire. The pressure is mounting on the farm system to produce the next core. All eyes are on top prospects like shortstop Arjun Nimmala and hard-throwing righty Trey Yesavage. The organization's shift in development philosophy, particularly with pitching, is being tested in real-time as they look to build a sustainable winner beyond the current window.
What a night. A walk-off win provides a massive emotional lift, and seeing the top of the order deliver like that is a tantalizing glimpse of this team's potential. But the celebration is tempered by reality. With two rotation spots open, a battered outfield, and a bullpen in transition, the Blue Jays solved one problem with a dramatic win but face a host of others. They'll ride the high for now, but the front office has some serious work to do to keep the momentum going.
