Blue Jays' Addison Barger Hits Historic Pinch-Hit Grand Slam in World Series Opener

In Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night, the Toronto Blue Jays secured an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, highlighted by a historic performance from outfielder Addison Barger. Barger, pinch-hitting for Davis Schneider, hit the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, sending a 2-1 slider from left-hander Anthony Banda 413 feet to right-center field. This marked his third home run of the postseason.

Barger's grand slam was also the first postseason grand slam in Blue Jays history and was the centerpiece of a nine-run, six-hit sixth inning that gave Toronto an 11-2 lead over the defending champions. Catcher Alejandro Kirk contributed to the offensive surge with a two-run homer later in the inning.

The nine-run inning was the third-highest run total in a single inning in World Series history. The Philadelphia Athletics scored 10 runs in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs in Game 4 of the 1929 World Series, and the Detroit Tigers matched that with 10 runs in the third inning of Game 6 against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968.

This World Series appearance is Toronto's first since winning back-to-back titles in 1993. Barger, in his second major league season, hit 21 home runs during the regular season.

Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in Toronto.