Keys' Milestone Homer
Sean Keys Hits First Career Home Run as Blue Jays Beat Slumping Mets 9-3
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Sean Keys hit his first career home run on Canada Day, and the Toronto Blue Jays rolled past the New York Mets 9-3 in a holiday matinee at Rogers Centre. The 23-year-old rookie, recalled from Triple-A Buffalo just four days earlier, crushed a 349-foot blast to left field off Freddy Peralta in the third inning, capping a five-run frame that put the game away early. AP News reported the Blue Jays took two of three in the series.
The loss handed New York their 10th defeat in 12 games and their fifth straight series loss. The Mets, carrying the second-highest payroll in baseball at $370 million, have been in freefall all season. A crowd of 41,842 watched Toronto cruise to a 9-0 lead before New York scored three late runs.
Rookie Sean Keys Announced Himself With One Swing
Keys was a 2024 fourth-round pick out of Bucknell University. He hit 14 home runs in Double-A New Hampshire and 7 more in just 16 games at Triple-A Buffalo before his call-up on June 27. Blue Jays manager John Schneider did not hide his excitement. "The power is real," Schneider said. "He put himself on the radar, for sure. 21 homers is 21 homers," according to Sportsnet.
Keys spoke with awe about the setting for his milestone. "Rogers Centre has to be the most beautiful park in the league," he said. "Seeing it in all its glory is incredible," per Sports Illustrated. His three-run shot came with two runners on, turning a 2-0 lead into a 5-0 blowout. Myles Straw added a pinch-hit three-run home run in the seventh to make it 9-0, his third of the 2026 season.
Freddy Peralta's Rough Stretch Deepens Mets' Rotation Woes
Peralta lasted just four innings, giving up five runs on seven hits. His ERA climbed to 4.81, and it was his third straight start without a win. He dropped to 5-7 on the year. AP News noted that opposing batters are hitting .388 against him with runners in scoring position over his last eight starts — a number that tells the story of his struggles.
Patrick Corbin stepped in from the bullpen after Peralta's exit. It was Corbin's first relief appearance after being moved out of the starting rotation on June 30. He had posted a 6.16 ERA over his previous seven starts, according to AP News. Corbin went five innings in relief and earned his first save since 2016 — a rare bright spot in an otherwise messy afternoon for the visiting club.
Mets' 10-Game Skid Points to a Deadline Fire Sale
New York entered the day at 36-51, sitting last in the NL East. Interim manager Andy Green, who replaced fired Carlos Mendoza on June 26, has not stopped the bleeding. Mets rookie Carson Benge hit his 10th home run of the year in the eighth inning, and Francisco Lindor added a solo shot in the ninth — his fourth of 2026 — but the damage was already done.
With the trade deadline approaching, New York is expected to be aggressive sellers, according to AP News. The roster, built for a championship run, has not delivered. Lindor's recent hot hitting is one of the few bright spots on a team that has lost 10 of its last 12 games. New York writers at kdhnews.com summed up the mood simply: seasons are not played on paper.
Blue Jays Head Into Road Trip With Renewed Momentum
The win moved Toronto to 41-46. The Blue Jays begin a nine-game road trip Friday, starting in Seattle, as they try to climb back into the AL Wild Card race before the All-Star break, per AP News. George Springer was placed on the paternity list before the game, opening a roster spot for outfielder Jonatan Clase, recalled from Triple-A Buffalo.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returned to the lineup and went 1-for-4. But the real spark came from the bottom of the order. Ernie Clement hit his 22nd double of the season to set the table in the third. Then Keys stepped up and changed his life with one swing. For a team trying to stay relevant in July, Canada Day could not have gone better.
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