Long Ball Lands Hard: Blue Jays’ Five Homers Outslug Cincinnati

A five-homer deluge washed over Great American Ball Park, and even a five-run Cincinnati second couldn’t keep Toronto from surfing away with the finale. George Springer launched his third homer in two games to spark the comeback; Daulton Varsho/Alejandro Kirk went back-to-back in the fourth, and Addison Barger/Vladimir Guerrero Jr. answered with another back-to-back blast in the fifth as the AL East leaders tied their season high with five round-trippers.

Cincinnati’s opening haymaker was loud: Jose Trevino split the infield for two, Matt McLain punched in another, and Noelvi Marte rocketed a two-run double for a 5–0 burst. But after that second inning, Toronto starter Shane Bieber locked the zone for four scoreless frames, allowing the visitors to chip, then chunk, then crush their way in front.

Zack Littell (starter of record) was tagged for four homers across 4.1 innings; Nick Martinez (10–11) took the loss in relief. The Reds still piled nine runs and multiple rallies—proof this lineup has plenty of late-summer thump—but the Jays’ 11 homers and 29 runs in the series told the tale.

Bright spots: Marte’s gap-to-gap damage, relentless traffic, and another relentless response after falling behind. Next up: a pivotal home set with the Mets, where early-inning stability and long-relief leverage become series keys.