TORONTO – Addison Barger’s rocket proper arm added an electrifying aspect to all the keenness at Rogers Centre on Good Friday.
The Toronto Blue Jays right-fielder checked in for 3 assists within the dwelling aspect’s 3-1 win towards the Seattle Mariners earlier than 40,263 within the sequence opener.
“What a cannon,” Toronto supervisor John Schneider yelled as he walked by reporters who had been interviewing the hero of the house crew’s victory.
Barger’s three outfield assists matched a membership file set by Steve Bowling towards the Oakland Athletics on Aug. 27, 1977, and equalled by Rick Bosetti towards the Detroit Tigers on Could 28, 1979.
Barger threw out Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh’s try at a double within the fourth inning. Two batters later, Barger’s relayed toss caught Randy Arozarena in a run down between third and residential.
The Blue Jays right-fielder then threw out former Blue Jay Rowdy Tellez’s try to advance on a fly ball within the fifth inning for a double play that quelled a Mariners rally.
Associated Movies
“He’s acquired a great arm,” Schneider stated. “We all know that. There was the play on Cal, after which the relay play. I believe most individuals throw to second there. That’s an enormous play. We had 4 outs on the bases.”
Get day by day Nationwide information
Get the day’s high information, political, financial, and present affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox as soon as a day.
Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk caught Julio Rodriguez on his steal try at second base within the eighth inning.
Barger recorded throws of 159 kilometres per hour, 154.5 km/h and 150.6 km/h on his three assists. The 159 fireball that nailed the slow-footed Tellez at third base was the quickest throw from the outfield in Main League Baseball this season.
“I didn’t suppose there’s any likelihood he was gonna attempt to tag up on that,” Barger stated. “I used to be simply going to catch the ball. I seemed up and noticed he was going. I used to be like, ‘Oh, all proper.’”
The 25-year-old Barger reported he threw from the outfield at 161 km/h in spring coaching earlier this 12 months, and was clocked at 172 km/h throughout an low season exercise.
“I grew up engaged on it quite a bit,” Barger stated. “It’s one thing that was emphasised at a younger age. My dad all the time stated you need to in all probability have a great arm. So one thing I labored on quite a bit going means, means again.”
His arm energy made him an efficient pitcher at C. Leon King Excessive Faculty in Tampa, Fla., earlier than outfield and third base grew to become his positions as an expert.
“It makes you’re feeling nice to assist in any means you’ll be able to to assist the crew win,” stated Barger, who was known as up from triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday. “On this case, guys attempting to take an additional base and taking that away from them is absolutely useful.”
Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis (2-2) was grateful for his defensive-minded outfielder.
“I get the arm energy,” Francis stated. “However the precision, too. It’s fairly sick.”
Barger’s precision additionally added to the enthusiastic ambiance inside Rogers Centre.
The Blue Jays gave away crew bomber jackets to the primary 15,000 who entered the Dome on Friday. This had followers lining up blocks away three hours earlier than the doorways opened.
“We should always give out bomber jackets each recreation,” Schneider stated. “That was enjoyable. That was a cool Friday night time win for us, for positive.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed April 18, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Source link