Addison Barger's three-run bash lifts Blue Jays to series sweep of Athletics

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Through their first three games against an inferior A’s team at the Rogers Centre — all wins — the Blue Jays pushed across 31 runs while launching 10 homers.

But just when it appeared the visitors might flip the script in Sunday’s series finale, Addison Barger produced some eighth-inning heroics, blasting a home run for the third game in a row — a three-run bomb to right — that turned a two-run deficit into a one-run lead and paced the Jays to an 8-4 victory and a four-game sweep.

The left-handed hitting Barger was front and centre in the Jays’ 39-run barrage against A’s pitching, going 5-for-13 with three homers (he has five on the season) and six RBIs.

The 25-year-old third baseman continues to emerge — both at the plate and in the field — providing more evidence why he should be in the lineup every day, even when Andres Gimenez returns from the injured list and allows Ernie Clement to return to the hot corner.

Barger did start 26 games in the outfield last season and should be in the equation to replace Daulton Varsho, who went on the injured list Sunday with a hamstring strain.

The following are three takeaways from an afternoon in which the Jays, who trailed 3-0 in the fifth inning, were fortunate to even be in the game, the beneficiaries of an opponent that left too many runners in scoring position.

1. D outing for Gausman

Despite coming off his best stretch of games this season, it was obvious that Sunday’s start for Kevin Gausman would feature its share of oddities.

It began when the righty issued a leadoff base on balls to Lawrence Butler — his first walk allowed in five starts — which led to the Athletics getting on the scoreboard first.

By no means was this a vintage Gausman outing. He escaped the second without giving up a run, but through two innings his pitch count was already up to 45.

He was yanked after giving up a two-run double to Luis Urias in the fifth inning, the 4.2-inning outing representing his shortest of the season.

Though he struck out seven, Gausman allowed eight hits and two walks.

2. Streaking Vlad

For the record, Vlad Guerrero Jr. extended his career-high and MLB-best on-base streak to 32 games when he doubled in his first at-bat.

He doubled again in the Jays’ six-run eighth, but this time it drove in a couple of insurance runs.

Vladdy, who served as the DH on Sunday, has eight homers on the season, six of them coming during this on-base streak.

The reality is that Guerrero has to continue to provide that thump factor in the lineup, especially with Varsho and Anthony Santander on the injured list. The expectations are high and will only get higher next season when his 14-year extension kicks in.

3. Earnest Ernie

With the way he’s been swinging the bat lately, it’s hard to knock Clement when he’s willing to play any position he’s asked and has often come through in clutch moments.

One of the most understated moments from Saturday’s 8-7 win was a game-ending diving catch he made at second base with the tying run on second, saving Jeff Hoffman from potentially blowing another game.

On Sunday, Clement found himself starting at first.
In the first inning, Gausman nearly overcome a no-out situation with runners on the corners when he induced a grounder.

Clement fielded it, placed his foot on the bag at first before making an off-balance throw to second. Butler, the runner on third, scored on the play.

The options were many for Clement, who normally mans the other three infield positions, including a throw to second to keep the force on and perhaps get a double play.
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