Toronto Blue Jays edge Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 on Sunday to tighten their grip on the playoff chase. The victory leaves Toronto at 69-50 and four games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for MLB’s best record, underscoring how quickly the race for home-field advantage can tighten as the season moves toward autumn.
A standout moment came from reliever Mason Fluharty, who earned his first major league save in dramatic fashion by retiring Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts with the bases loaded. The feat echoes a rare bit of baseball history: the last save in which two former MVPs were retired with the bases full was Trevor Hoffman on September 15, 2002.
Fluharty, selected by Toronto in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, has a 5.15 ERA this season but has shown a noteworthy strikeout pace, fanning 45 batters across 43.2 innings. His performance on Sunday highlighted the depth in the Jays’ bullpen and their willingness to lean on younger arms in high-leverage spots.
Pre-game notes included an update on George Springer from Jays manager John Schneider, with additional, brief Shane Bieber news also announced ahead of the game. Toronto now turns its attention to a Tuesday matchup with the Chicago Cubs at Rogers Centre, as the club continues to push for favorable playoff positioning.
Key facts and context
– Final score: Blue Jays 5, Dodgers 4
– Record after game: 69-50
– Milestone: Mason Fluharty’s first MLB save, escaping a bases-loaded jam by retiring Ohtani and Betts
– Historical note: the last time two former MVPs were retired with the bases loaded in a save was 2002 (Trevor Hoffman)
– Fluharty’s line: 5.15 ERA, 45 strikeouts in 43.2 innings
– Upcoming: Blue Jays vs Cubs at Rogers Centre
What this means for Toronto
– The win reinforces Toronto’s depth and resilience in late-game scenarios, particularly with Fluharty stepping up in a high-pressure moment.
– The club remains in the mix for the top playoff seed, using a bullpen that can handle pivotal outs as the schedule cranks up.
– Positive momentum from this series could bolster confidence as the Jays head toward a key stretch of home games.
Summary
Toronto’s 5-4 triumph over the Dodgers showcased Mason Fluharty’s clutch debut as a closer and highlighted the Blue Jays’ growing bullpen versatility, keeping their playoff ambitions very much alive as the season advances.
Additional notes
– This game adds to the narrative of Toronto’s depth ahead of a busy stretch, with opportunities for emerging relievers to claim important roles down the stretch.
– The upcoming slate against the Cubs represents another chance to measure the team’s consistency against strong opponents and improve positioning in the standings.