A controversial call at second base sparked a five-run sixth inning as the Toronto Blue Jays secured a 6-4 series win over the Baltimore Orioles. Pete Alonso’s frustration and the umpire’s decision stood, and Toronto’s bats—led by Yohendrick Piñango’s fourth h
TORONTO — In the bottom of the sixth inning on Sunday, Pete Alonso whipped a baseball down the right-field line in frustration.
Brandon Valenzuela had just hit into a potential inning-ending double play. but the ending hinged on a call near second base. Valenzuela was out at first—everyone agreed on that part—but the Orioles believed second base runner Clement had strayed outside the basepath while avoiding a tag from Gunnar Henderson and should therefore be out.
Second base umpire Nic Lentz called Clement safe. Henderson objected immediately. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz hopped over the dugout rail, and Alonso threw the ball into foul territory, clearly reacting to a decision that Baltimore felt swung the inning.
Despite the objections, the call stood. It gave Toronto the opening it needed—turning the moment into a five-run rally that ultimately set the tone for a 6-4 Blue Jays win.
The burst started with Yohendrick Piñango, who launched his fourth home run of the season to ignite the Blue Jays’ sixth. Kazuma Okamoto followed with an RBI single, and Andres Gimenez added an RBI double. Nathan Lukes then punctuated the rally with an RBI single of his own.
Gimenez also made it count on the bases, scoring on a Lukes single that never left the infield. “Never left the infield” was a small detail, but it described the pressure Toronto applied—quick decisions, decisive baserunning, and at-bats that kept Baltimore’s defense on its heels.
Valenzuela later added a finishing touch with his seventh home run of the season. providing insurance and turning a critical inning into a statement. His homer raised his season OPS to .822 and left him second on the Blue Jays’ team in home runs with seven. It’s also a striking rise for a player who began the season as the organization’s third-string catcher.
With Alejandro Kirk nearing his return—potentially in the next week—Toronto’s lineup picture may already be shifting. Sunday marked Kirk’s third consecutive start, reflecting the trust the Blue Jays have shown, but Valenzuela’s production has made him hard to dislodge.
Not everything went Toronto’s way. George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. combined to go hitless in eight at-bats. adding to the tension of a game that felt like it could swing either way. Guerrero Jr. also made a late challenge that cost the Blue Jays a chance to challenge a missed strike with Tyler Rogers on the mound.
On the pitching side, Kevin Gausman began strongly before the game turned in the fifth inning. He allowed four runs then, including homers by Colton Cowser and Taylor Ward. All told, the right-hander gave up four runs on five hits while striking out five.
After Gausman’s exit, Toronto leaned on a steady bullpen response. Adam Macko, Connor Seabold, Rogers and Louis Varland each delivered scoreless outings to preserve the lead and secure a critical win over a division rival.
The Blue Jays improved to 32-34 on the season with the victory, keeping them hovering on the edges of the American League wild-card race. They also extended their momentum after a series win against Baltimore.
Next up, the Philadelphia Phillies arrive with a formidable trio of pitchers: Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo. The Blue Jays know the challenge is steep, but they’re also watching their own rotation’s outlook. Dylan Cease and Max Scherzer are getting closer to a big-league return. and with Toronto still in the playoff race. the upcoming stretch could determine whether that rebuilding phase starts to look like something sturdier.
Blue Jays Orioles Pete Alonso Nic Lentz Gunnar Henderson Brandon Valenzuela Yohendrick Piñango Andres Gimenez Kazuma Okamoto Nathan Lukes Kevin Gausman Adam Macko Connor Seabold Tyler Rogers Louis Varland Colton Cowser Taylor Ward George Springer Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Alejandro Kirk Craig Albernaz MLB
Ump calls always decide games, it is what it is.
So the runner was safe because he “avoided” a tag? That sounds like a technicality. Orioles got robbed and then Toronto just ran with it.
I don’t even get it—if they agreed he was out at first then how is second base relevant? Like I feel bad for Baltimore but also isn’t that still the same play? Alonso throwing it into foul territory just proves everyone’s emotional, lol.
Disputed calls at second base are the worst, like they’re deciding it with vibes. Also Pete Alonso always looks mad like he’s gonna fight the air. I bet the Orioles challenge system is broken or something, because “basepath” stuff never makes sense on TV. Then Toronto hits back-to-back and everyone acts like it was inevitable.