TORONTO – In a thrilling matchup at Rogers Centre, the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Washington Nationals 5-2 on Monday, March 31, 2025, marking their first time above .500 since April 24, 2024. The game showcased impressive performances from both the pitching and batting lineups, particularly from Andrés Giménez, who hit his third home run of the season and made significant contributions throughout the game.
Bowden Francis took the mound for the Blue Jays, delivering a strong performance that saw him pitch 5.1 innings of hitless baseball before allowing a couple of solo home runs in the sixth inning. Francis struck out four batters and walked three, finishing with a line that included two hits allowed. This outing was a promising start to the season for Francis, who is now 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his last nine starts dating back to last year.
“It wasn’t as close as the flirtations he had with no-hitters late last season, but the 2025 debut of Francis certainly renewed the promise that the big righty showed late last season,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “I think we’re looking for him to be reliable, durable, and consistent.”
Giménez opened the scoring in the second inning, crushing a 3-1 fastball from Nationals pitcher Michael Soroka over the right-field fence for a home run that traveled 381 feet. This marked his third home run in just five games, making him the first player in franchise history to achieve such a feat. Following his home run, Giménez continued to shine at the plate, adding a double in the eighth inning, a walk, and he was also hit by a pitch during the game.
“I know he doesn’t look the part, but he’s athletic and he can hit the ball hard,” Schneider commented on Giménez’s unexpected success in the cleanup position. “The optics may look weird, but he’s a damn good hitter.”
In addition to Giménez’s contributions, the Blue Jays also received key offensive support from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who hit an RBI double in the third inning, and Alejandro Kirk, who added a double and an RBI. The Jays scored one run in the second, one in the third, two in the fourth, and one in the eighth, accumulating a total of ten hits and three walks throughout the game.
The game was played in front of an announced crowd of 20,137, coinciding with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Silver Slugger Bobblehead night, which added to the festive atmosphere at the stadium.
As the Blue Jays celebrated their victory, they also faced challenges with their pitching rotation. With veteran starter Max Scherzer sidelined due to a thumb injury, Schneider is tasked with determining who will fill the fifth spot in the rotation. The options include recent call-up Easton Lucas and Yariel Rodriguez, who impressed in a short relief appearance on Sunday.
“That was, in my opinion, probably his best professional inning,” Schneider remarked about Rodriguez’s performance. “We know that (the stuff) is in there.”
Looking ahead, the Blue Jays are set to continue their series against the Nationals on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, with José Berrios taking the mound for Toronto. Berrios is eager to bounce back after a rough opening day start against the Orioles. The Nationals will counter with Trevor Williams, who will be making his first start of the season.
In other news, the Braves announced that outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for 80 games due to a violation of MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy. This news adds to the ongoing discussions about player conduct and league regulations.
As the Blue Jays look to build on their success, the performance of players like Giménez and Francis will be crucial in their quest for a successful season. With a record of 3-2 early in the 2025 season, fans are hopeful that this victory is a sign of better things to come.
