Bo Bichette's leadoff homer powers Blue Jays past D-backs 7-3 on June 19. See how Bichette & Chris Bassitt dominated in Toronto's big win over Arizona.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It took all of one pitch for Bo Bichette to announce his presence with authority on Thursday night. The Blue Jays' shortstop ambushed the first pitch he saw and sent it soaring 418 feet for a leadoff home run, setting the tone for a dominant 7-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rogers Centre.
Over his last two games, Bo Bichette is 5-for-10 with two home runs and six RBI.
After a somewhat sluggish start to the season by his lofty standards, Bo Bichette is officially on fire. Following up Wednesday's homer, he was the engine of the offense again on Thursday, going 3-for-5 with a double and three crucial RBI. His leadoff blast was just the beginning. He later added a key double to continue his onslaught, raising his season slash line to a much healthier .275/.317/.437. When Bo is locked in like this, the entire complexion of the Blue Jays lineup changes. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also contributed, breaking the game open with a two-run single in the fifth.
While the offense provided the fireworks, Chris Bassitt delivered another quality start to anchor the pitching staff. The veteran righty battled through 6.2 innings, scattering six hits and striking out seven Diamondbacks. Though he allowed three runs, he kept Toronto in control throughout his outing. The bullpen was flawless in relief, with Erik Swanson, Tim Mayza, and Yimi García combining for 2.1 scoreless innings to slam the door shut and secure the win.
The good news wasn't just confined to the major league club. Down on the farm, the next wave of Blue Jays talent continues to impress. High-A hurler Khal Stephen was untouchable in his last start, tossing six scoreless frames with nine strikeouts. He's joined by Trey Yesavage, who now ranks second in all of minor league baseball with 88 strikeouts. And don't forget about Arjun Nimmala, the team's top prospect, who has surged into Top 100 prospect lists with a phenomenal start as the youngest regular in the Northwest League. The pipeline is looking strong.
On the roster front, it was a quiet day, which is often the best kind of day. The club reported no new injuries, fielding its regular lineup against the Diamondbacks. The only minor update came from Triple-A Buffalo, where infielder Will Wagner remains on the injured list with a foot issue. For now, stability is the name of the game for the big league squad.
With the win, the Blue Jays improve to 40-33 and continue to build momentum. Having a hot Bo Bichette leading the charge is a recipe for success, and with the pitching holding strong, this team looks poised to make a run. They'll look to carry this energy into the rest of the series against Arizona and solidify their standing in a tight AL East race.
