Blue Jays turn into a hit machine in rout of Marlins, despite injury absence of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Kevin Gausman is Toronto's scheduled starter Wednesday afternoon at 1:07 p.m.

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Published May 26, 2026  •  Last updated 9 minutes ago  •  4 minute read

Jesús Sánchez of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning of his team's game against the Miami Marlins at Rogers Centre on May 26, 2026. Photo by Cole Burston /Getty Images

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sat out another game on Tuesday, missing the Blue Jays’ contest against the Miami Marlins after he was hit by a pitch on the outside of his right elbow Sunday.

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And then in the game against the Marlins, Kazuma Okamoto and Lenyn Sosa also were hit batsmen, but stayed in the game.

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The Blue Jays eventually would get their hits at the plate, including going deep three times, in an 8-1 victory.

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On an evening of big knocks, none was bigger than a grand slam off the bat of Jesus Sanchez, a monster blast recorded off his former team.

His sixth-inning slam blew the game open for the Blue Jays, who had dropped the series opener to the Marlins on Monday.

Okamoto was hit one batter later following the game-defining long ball by Sanchez.

Ernie Clement also went deep, while Yohendrick Pinango made amends for Monday’s folly in left field by blasting his second dinger of the season.

The Jays, by no means, were clean, but they were, in comparison, cleaner than the visiting Marlins.

When Toronto took control of the evening, it was its six-run sixth inning that did the trick.

As well and as explosive as the Jays were at the plate, the club’s pitching was equally effective.

Oddly enough, it all played out with the Jays resorting to a bullpen game.

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The lopsided nature of the night allowed Tanner Andrews to pitch, one night after making his debut in the show.

When he entered Tuesday’s game in the eighth inning, the Jays were comfortably ahead, while looking ahead to Wednesday afternoon’s series rubber match knowing a seven-game road trip awaits with a date in Baltimore on Thursday.

The Jays have gone 5-8 this season against AL East foes.

In terms of interleague play, the Jays improved to 8-10.

The following are three takeaways on Loonie Dogs Night as the Jays improved to 26-29 following their win, while Miami dropped to 26-30.

FISHER KING

For the third time this season, the Jays used reliever Braydon Fisher as an opener.

And for the third time, the righty completed his one-inning outing by keeping the opposition scoreless.

Hard to argue Fisher’s performance when thrust into the role as opener, which only underscores the Jays’ lack of depth at starting pitching.

Rewind to the days of spring training when starting pitching, at least when completely healthy, was seen as a major strength amid concerns Toronto had too many arms.

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Shane Bieber hasn’t thrown a pitch, while Jose Berrios won’t throw a pitch following elbow surgery.

Off-season acquisition Cody Ponce hurt his knee in his debut and underwent season-ending surgery.

Patrick Corbin has provided a major boost, while Fisher has essentially been perfect when called upon to start games.

Keep in mind Fisher hasn’t been asked to pitch beyond the first inning.

Against the Marlins, Fisher’s 12-pitch inning featured one strikeout recorded and one hit surrendered.

For the season, Fisher has provided the Jays with 30.2 innings, while yielding 19 hits, including two home runs, and allowing nine earned runs.

Either way anyone cares to slice it, Fisher has been better than good.

THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP

Music lovers of a certain vintage will have fond memories of the British rock and R&B band for two timeless songs: Gimme Some Lovin’ and I‘m a Man.

It’s a round-about way of introducing Rule 5 Draft pick Spencer Miles, one of, if not, the surprise stories on the Blue Jays 54 games into the season.

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No one could have envisioned this coming from the right-hander, whom many probably couldn’t even recognize.

When he enters games, much like he did Tuesday, it’s hard not to take notice.

Miles was near-flawless for three innings after he started the second following Fisher’s one inning.

In the fifth, Miles allowed a leadoff single as Miami ultimately pushed across a run, aided by a throwing error charged to catcher Brandon Valenzuela, the Jays’ second throwing error on the night.

A groundout to begin the sixth inning and Miles’ night had ended as the Jays summoned Adam Macko, who would emerge as the third reliever used by Toronto on bullpen Tuesday.

KING GEORGE

For someone who continues to play through a broken big toe, George Springer shows no signs of slowing down.

Credit the veteran for his perseverance and unflinching aggression when running the bases.

At the plate, he’s beginning to heat up as well.

He cleared the dreaded Mendoza line by recording a hit Tuesday as his average increased to .203, which, granted, is far from ideal.

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What sticks out is Springer’s aggressiveness when heading up the first-base line or when rounding the bases.

He’s a true competitor, a true warrior and a pro’s pro.

UP NEXT

The series finale amounts to getaway day as first pitch flies Wednesday at 1:07 pm; Kevin Gausman is Toronto’s scheduled starter; in his most recent start, the veteran right-hander recorded eight strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the most since Gausman’s second start of the season when he began the year by striking out a combined 21 in his first two.

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