Jays' Dramatic Comeback Win
Toronto Blue Jays Cap Wild Comeback at Wrigley Field, Defeating Cubs 8-6
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The Toronto Blue Jays trailed 5–0 heading into the seventh inning at Wrigley Field on Saturday. Then they scored eight straight runs to beat the Chicago Cubs 8–6, in one of the most unlikely turnarounds of their season, according to Toronto Sun.
Six of Toronto's eight runs came off just two swings — a pair of three-run home runs. Daulton Varsho hit the first in the seventh. Kazuma Okamoto hit the decisive blast in the eighth. Louis Varland then slammed the door, recording six outs to seal the win, per MLB.com.
Cubs Led 5–0 Before Toronto Erupted in Eighth
Cubs starter Colin Rea was dominant early. He retired the first 12 batters in order and held Toronto scoreless through six innings, according to Vancouver Sun. Chicago's Matt Shaw had given the Cubs a 3–0 lead with a three-run homer in the second inning. Pete Crow-Armstrong then added a two-run shot in the sixth off Toronto reliever Lazaro Estrada to push the lead to 5–0.
Everything changed in the seventh. Varsho, just back from the injured list, launched a three-run homer off Trent Thornton to make it 5–3. Then in the eighth, Alejandro Kirk and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in runs to tie the game before Okamoto crushed a three-run blast to left, making it 8–5. The Cubs' bullpen — already missing closer Daniel Palencia due to a flexor strain — had no answers, per Ottawa Citizen.
Varsho's Return Gave the Jays Their Missing Spark
Daulton Varsho had missed time with wrist inflammation before being activated Saturday. He went straight into the starting lineup in center field. His three-run homer was Toronto's first hit of the game and turned a blowout into a contest. Sportsnet noted that Varsho "reminded them what they had been missing."
Okamoto, the team's leading power hitter with 16 home runs and 42 RBIs on the season, delivered the knockout blow. Both home runs — the only two hits that produced runs in the comeback — each drove in three. Combined, they accounted for all eight runs Toronto scored, according to CBS News.
Varland Steps Up as Jays Search for a Closer
With primary closer Jeff Hoffman recently demoted, Toronto has shifted to a closer-by-committee approach. Varland inherited a bases-loaded, no-outs situation in the eighth inning and gave up only one run. He then finished the ninth to record a six-out save — his 15th or 16th of the year, depending on the source.
Varland called it "my first experience of a true save opportunity — the highest pressured situation," according to Sportsnet. Manager John Schneider has been mixing relievers in high-leverage spots all week. Saturday showed that approach can work — but also how thin the margin for error is.
Corbin Struggles Again, Bieber Debut Looms Monday
Patrick Corbin started for Toronto and was pulled after just 3.2 innings, having thrown 101 pitches. He allowed six hits and three walks, per WAND TV. The veteran lefty, signed for a modest $1 million to add rotation depth, has now struggled in consecutive starts. His inefficiency — 101 pitches for just 11 outs — drew sharp criticism.
Relief may be coming. Shane Bieber is scheduled to make his 2026 season debut on Monday, according to Toronto Sun. That likely puts Corbin's rotation spot in immediate jeopardy. Ernie Clement also sat out Saturday with left hip soreness — his second straight missed start. Manager John Schneider said, "If all goes according to plan," Clement will return Sunday for the series finale against Shota Imanaga.
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