Blue Jays hit two home runs in win over Orioles

Dylan Cease is scheduled to start Sunday

Published Sep 12, 2026  •  Last updated 5 minutes ago  •  5 minute read

Alejandro Kirk of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a 2-run home run in the third inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on Sept. 12, 2026 in Toronto. Photo by Vaughn Ridley /Getty Images

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source 

Article content

Designating any game or any series as significant would be dismissing every other game or any other series knowing each and every day when a game is played carries just as much meaning.

Article content

Article content

In the same vein, a meeting comes along that does hold more weight, especially for a Blue Jays team that lost its series opener to the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto’s fourth defeat in the past five games after reeling off four wins in succession.

When play began Saturday, the Jays found themselves two games back of Cleveland for the third and final American League wild card, and one game ahead of the O’s.

The Jays hold the tiebreaker over the Guardians, who are threatening to supplant the Chicago White Sox for the lead in the AL Central.

The Jays don’t hold the tiebreaker over the White Sox.

The Texas Rangers also remain in the mix, a club that will play host to the Jays in a three-game series beginning next Friday.

Suffice to say every game this late in the marathon that is baseball’s 162-game schedule is important, which is to emphasize Saturday’s significance.

Article content

Article content

In the eight games played prior to Saturday, the Orioles and Jays went 4-4.

The Rangers hold the tiebreaker over the Jays, regardless of the results of the upcoming series in Arlington.

Taking care of their own business is all that matters for the Jays, who bounced back from Friday’s loss to clip the Orioles 7-3, setting the stage for Sunday’s series rubber match.

A win Sunday and the Jays (74-75) will move three games ahead of the O’s (72-77) with three remaining games to be played in Baltimore.

The following are three takeaways on a day Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had an RBI double in his first at-bat before striking out twice in going 1-for-4, while Alejandro Kirk hit a two-run homer, part of a three-RBI game, to mask the three physical errors committed by the Jays and the one mental gaffe when Andres Gimenez was picked off at third base.

1. Breath of fresh air

The Jays would be well advised to write Brett Bateman’s name — in pen — atop the batting lineup.

Until Friday night, Bateman showed a remarkable ability to put balls in play, but very rarely did he show an ability to run into balls, even balls hit to the warning track.

Article content

It all changed in the ninth inning when Bateman went deep for a two-run blast with two outs, giving the Jays a bit of life after trailing by five runs entering the frame.

Saturday, Bateman went deep for the second time in as many games.

If this sudden power surge can be sustained, it will only help the Jays’ chances.

Chances are it won’t, but Bateman has shown a knack for getting on base, which is the prime objective of a leadoff hitter.

Saturday marked Bateman’s 30th game with the Jays after the club acquired him as part of the deal with the Chicago Cubs that sent veteran right-hander and culture setting Kevin Gausman.

In Game No. 30, Bateman had arguably his finest on both sides of the ball.

2. Miles high club

In terms of Rule 5 Draft acquisitions, the Jays’ decision to select Spencer Miles from the San Francisco Giants has the potential to be among the best moves the club has exercised.

Anyone claiming they knew anything about the right-hander prior to his arrival in Toronto are only fooling themselves because Miles’ body of work consisted of 14.2 career innings in the minors.

Article content

In other words, he was an absolute nobody, pardon the harsh description.

He has quickly emerged into a somebody, a very valuable piece whom the Jays have used in virtually every conceivable situation.

Saturday, Miles assumed the role of opener.

His opening inning had the potential to go sideways when 31 pitches were required to record the three outs.

He issued two walks and a single to load the bases with two out, before giving up a deep fly ball into right field for the third out that had many holding their collective breath.

Miles survived.

In the second, he thrived.

His sinker can be an effective and at times lethal pitch.

Of the 14 pitches Miles tossed in the second inning, nine were sinkers, allowing his fastball to play.

Miles was so dominant in the second that he struck out the side in order.

Ideally, the Jays needed roughly 40 pitches from Miles, a goal that seemed unrealistic based on how the first inning would play out.

Through two innings, Miles’ pitch count had reached 44.

Article content

Job well done from someone who has executed more often than he has failed.

The Blue Jays hitters provided Miles with some much-needed room for error after the Jays plated two runs in the home half of the first inning.

3. Rudy Martin Jr.’s authentic debut

Technically, career minor-leaguer Rudy Martin Jr. introduced himself to the majors when he entered Friday night’s game in the ninth inning as a pinch-runner for George Springer.

While the moment was relished and cherished, it paled in comparison to Saturday’s truly momentous moment when Martin Jr. started in left field and hit ninth in the order, completing a baseball journey that took the 30-year-old to three different independent leagues, including a stint in Mexico.

All in all, his official unveiling featured Martin Jr. hitting into a double play in his first at-bat, striking out and drawing a walk to reach base for the first time.

Up Next

Sunday looms as a bounce-back start for Dylan Cease (1:37 p.m. first pitch) following a very poor outing, at least by his high standards, in Sacramento where the Athletics ran roughshod by taking advantage of Cease’s inability to control the run game; Cease enters his 27th start of the season having recorded a career-tying 227 strikeouts; LHP Trevor Rogers (10-9, 4.15 ERA) is scheduled to start for Baltimore.

[email protected]

Read More

1. 

   Blue Jays' late rally too little, too late in loss to Orioles

2. 

   Blue Jays designate Jesus Sanchez for assignment

Article content