José Berríos pitches a gem and Bo Bichette homers as the Blue Jays crush the White Sox 7-1 on June 21. Read how Toronto dominated from start to finish.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Saturday night at the Rogers Centre felt like a blueprint for Blue Jays baseball. Dominant starting pitching, early power from the stars, and contributions from up and down the lineup propelled Toronto to a decisive 7-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox, bringing their record to a solid 40-35 on the season.
José Berríos received a roaring standing ovation after a season-best 7.2 innings where he allowed just two hits and one unearned run.
The story of the night was undoubtedly José Berríos. In what was easily his best start of 2025, 'La Makina' was simply masterful. He carved through the White Sox lineup for 7.2 innings, allowing just two hits and one unearned run while striking out five. At one point, he retired 14 of 15 batters, looking completely untouchable. When he exited in the eighth, the Rogers Centre crowd rose to its feet for a well-deserved standing ovation. It was the kind of deep, efficient outing (98 pitches) that saves a bullpen and wins ballgames, and a fantastic sign for the rotation moving forward.
The offense gave Berríos a lead before he even threw a pitch. Bo Bichette, continuing his recent power surge, ambushed the first pitch of the game for a leadoff home run, his third of the season and 11th overall. Not to be outdone, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joined the party in the seventh inning, launching his 10th homer of the year to extend the lead. When the team's two biggest stars are hitting for power, this lineup takes on a completely different, and much more dangerous, dimension.
Every great win seems to have an unexpected hero, and on Saturday, that hero was Davis Schneider. Scratched into the lineup just before game time after Addison Barger was sidelined with a hip injury, Schneider didn't just fill in—he starred. He went 2-for-3 with a walk and a team-high three RBIs, marking his first multi-RBI game of the season. His biggest hit came in the eighth, a booming two-run double with a 106.6 mph exit velocity that blew the game wide open and sealed the victory. It was a massive performance from a player who grabbed his opportunity with both hands.
The win came after some pre-series roster shuffling, with the Jays recalling outfielder Nathan Lukes and pitcher Nick Sandlin, while optioning Will Robertson and Justin Bruihl. Lukes immediately contributed to the four-run second inning. On the injury front, the team will be monitoring infielder Addison Barger, whose hip injury kept him out of Saturday's contest. His status for the series finale on Sunday is currently uncertain, making Schneider's big night all the more important.
This was more than just a win; it was a statement. With dominant pitching from their ace, power from their core stars, and clutch hitting from their depth pieces, the Blue Jays showed exactly what they're capable of. Now, they'll look to carry this momentum into Sunday's finale, aiming for a crucial series victory against the White Sox and continuing to build on their winning record.
