TORONTO — In a thrilling encounter at the Rogers Centre, the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves 6-3 on Tuesday night, April 15, 2025, showcasing their power-hitting prowess with a pair of home runs that highlighted a five-run fifth inning. Anthony Santander delivered a spectacular three-run homer, while rookie Alan Roden made his mark with a two-run shot, marking his first career home run.
The Blue Jays’ offense came alive against Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach (1-1), who struggled in the fifth inning after a solid start. Myles Straw set the tone with a lead-off single, followed by Roden’s homer that put Toronto ahead 3-1. Then, with Bo Bichette on second and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on first, Santander launched his second homer of the season, extending the lead and capping off a dominant inning that saw the Blue Jays finally break into double digits for home runs this season.
Kevin Gausman (2-1) took the mound for Toronto and delivered a commendable performance, striking out six batters over six innings while allowing two earned runs on six hits. Despite giving up solo home runs to Austin Riley and Matt Olson, Gausman’s solid outing was crucial for the Blue Jays, who improved their record to 10-8 with this victory.
Roden's journey to his first homer was a significant moment for the young player. He initially doubled in the third inning, scoring on a fielder's choice by Guerrero, which tied the game at 1-1. The Blue Jays’ ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities was evident, as they managed to convert ten baserunners into runs effectively.
“It feels amazing to hit my first home run, especially in a game like this,” Roden said after the game. “The guys really rallied behind me, and it was a great moment for our team.”
Straw’s pivotal fifth-inning single came after he fouled off a couple of fastballs clocked at 97 mph, showcasing his patience and determination at the plate. The Blue Jays’ offensive explosion in the fifth inning was a much-needed boost, especially as they had entered the game ranked last in the league for home runs, with just nine prior to this matchup.
“We’ve been waiting for a breakout game like this,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “The guys showed great resilience, and it was fantastic to see them connect like that.”
Atlanta’s Schwellenbach, who had been solid in his previous outings, faced difficulties in the fifth inning, ultimately surrendering six runs and six hits in just 4 2/3 innings of work. His ERA ballooned from 0.45 to 2.55 following this outing. After the fifth inning, he was pulled from the game, replaced by Zach Thompson, who managed to retire the side without further damage.
Despite the loss, the Braves did manage to get some offense going, with Riley, Olson, and Ozzie Albies all hitting solo homers. Albies’ shot came in the ninth inning off reliever Chad Green, who allowed only that run as he closed out the game.
The game was played in front of an announced attendance of 26,979 fans, all of whom wore No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, a tribute to the legendary player who broke baseball’s color barrier. The event is celebrated every year on April 15, with all players in Major League Baseball donning Robinson's number.
As the teams prepare for the final game of their three-game interleague series, the Blue Jays are set to send right-hander Chris Bassitt (1-0, 0.98) to the mound, while the Braves have not yet announced their starter. The anticipation builds as the Braves look to rebound from this defeat and avoid losing consecutive games after having won against the Jays the previous night.
“We need to come back strong tomorrow,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker. “We’ve got a great pitcher in Strider coming back, and I believe in our guys to bounce back.”
The series finale is scheduled for a 1:07 PM start on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. With both teams eager for a win, fans can expect another exciting day of baseball.
