TORONTO – Austin Riley drove in five runs with a pair of homers and Sean Murphy hit a two-run blast to power the Atlanta Braves to an 8-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night at Rogers Centre.
Murphy went deep in the first inning off Toronto starter Easton Lucas (2-1) and Riley doubled Atlanta’s lead in the third. Riley added a three-run shot in the Braves’ four-run fifth inning.
Starter Grant Holmes retired the first 12 batters he faced for Atlanta (5-11) before issuing a walk to Andres Gimenez in the fifth. Myles Straw led off the sixth inning with a solo homer for Toronto’s first hit.
Related Videos
Blue Jays sign Guerrero Jr. to $500M USD extension: reports
- Blue Jays sign Guerrero Jr. to $500M USD extension: reports
- Blue Jays ready to kick off new season
- Bo Bichette going viral for openly flirting with trade
- ‘God bless Bo Bichette’: Blue Jays fan hit by ball takes it all in stride
- Toronto Blue Jays fan hit in face by 110mph foul ball
- Holdfast ball diamond gets much needed upgrade
- Metrolinx, TTC ramps up service to accommodate influx of Eclipse watchers, sports fans
- Phase 2 of renovations unveiled at the Rogers Centre
- Blue Jays season opener win leaves fans optimistic
- Baseball is Back: Blue Jays kicks off season against Rays
Story continues below advertisement
Holmes (1-1) allowed two hits, three earned runs and two walks over 7 2/3 innings. He had four strikeouts.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tipped his helmet while receiving an ovation from the crowd of 21,595 before his first plate appearance. It was his first home game since signing a 14-year contract extension worth US$500 million.
Lucas, who didn’t allow a run in his first two starts, gave up eight earned runs, four walks and six hits over five innings.
Jacob Barnes and Yariel Rodriguez each threw two innings in relief for Toronto (9-8). Tyler Heineman hit a two-run double in the eighth inning off Braves reliever Aaron Bummer and Ernie Clement had an RBI single in the ninth.
- Bassitt fans 10 over five frames in Jays’ win
- Guerrero homers in Jays’ 3-1 win over Braves
- Ujiri says Raptors still working to get better
- Jays’ Scherzer encouraged after throwing this week
- Meet the Habs superfan in a league of his own
- This is BC: Surrey boxer poised for biggest fight of his career
- Vancouver unveils official FIFA World Cup host poster
- Saskatoon AAA Stars set to make return to first Esso Cup tournament in six years
The opener of the three-game interleague series took two hours 16 minutes to play.
SORE THUMB
Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer, who’s on the injured list with a thumb issue, will make another visit to a hand specialist this week, manager John Schneider said before the game.
Trending Now
- California tries to lure Canadians back, but B.C. minister says ‘hold the line’ on travel
- Avoid U.S. travel if possible, Canadian academics are being urged
The right-hander received a cortisone injection in his right thumb during a March 31 visit with Dr. Thomas Graham.
INJURY UPDATES
Toronto outfielder George Springer was listed as day-to-day due to left wrist inflammation, Schneider said.
Story continues below advertisement
Springer left in the fifth inning of Toronto’s 7-6 win over Baltimore on Sunday when he experienced discomfort during an at-bat. Results from an X-ray and MRI exam were normal, Schneider said.
COMING UP
Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.33 ERA) was tabbed to start for the Blue Jays on Tuesday night against fellow right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (1-0, 0.45).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 14, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
