Alejandro Kirk's two homers led the Blue Jays past the White Sox 7-3 on June 20, 2025. See how Kirk and Vladdy Jr. powered the resilient Jays to victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you think the injury bug might finally slow them down, the Toronto Blue Jays find another hero. On Friday night, it was Alejandro Kirk's turn to wear the cape. The catcher blasted two opposite-field home runs, powering the Jays to a decisive 7-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox and extending one of the hottest streaks in baseball.
We've had guys step up all over the roster. It's been a total team effort.
Alejandro Kirk was the undisputed star of the show at Rogers Centre. The catcher went 3-for-4, launching solo shots in the second and fifth innings, both sailing over the right-field wall. The multi-homer game was his best performance of the season, bringing his yearly totals to an impressive 11 home runs and 34 RBIs. 'I felt really good at the plate tonight,' Kirk said post-game. 'I just tried to stay within myself and drive the ball the other way.' His approach clearly worked, providing the offensive spark the team needed.
While Kirk grabbed the headlines, the victory was a classic team win. Starter Spencer Turnbull was masterful, navigating six strong innings while allowing just two runs and striking out seven. The offense broke the game open in the fifth inning, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacking a crucial two-run double and Davis Schneider adding a timely RBI single. Jordan Romano came on in the ninth to shut the door for his 18th save, capping a thoroughly professional performance.
The most remarkable part of the Blue Jays' recent success is who they're doing it without. The team's injured list reads like an All-Star ballot, with Max Scherzer, Anthony Santander, Daulton Varsho, Yimi García, and Nick Sandlin all sidelined. Yet, the wins keep piling up. Friday's victory was their 16th in the last 21 games, a stretch that has kept them squarely in the AL Wild Card hunt. As manager John Schneider noted, the 'next man up' mentality is paying dividends. This incredible run is reflected in their 'Summer Score' of 15, one of the best marks in the league since early June.
The future continues to look bright, with shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala cracking the top 50 prospects in all of baseball. Meanwhile, recent draft picks Trey Yesavage and Khal Stephen are impressing in Low-A. It hasn't all been good news, however. Third baseman Will Wagner is on the IL in Buffalo, and top pitching prospect Jake Bloss was lost for the season to Tommy John surgery, a significant blow to the system's depth.
The Blue Jays have turned adversity into an identity, proving they can win with grit and depth. With two more games against the struggling White Sox this weekend, they have a prime opportunity to continue their surge. While fans eagerly await the return of stars like Scherzer and Santander, this resilient group is making it clear they don't need to wait for reinforcements to compete with the best in the American League.
