Blab Sports
Blue Jays Edge Orioles 6-4 After Controversial Second-Base Call
A disputed call at second base sparked a 6‑4 Blue Jays comeback over the Orioles on July 6, 2026, at Rogers Centre, moving Toronto to 32‑34 and a half‑game behind the Texas Rangers for the last American League wild‑card spot.
In the bottom of the sixth, Brandon Valenzuela hit a ground ball that should have ended the inning. Second‑base ump Nic Lentz ruled that Pete Alonso had already established a base path to second before the ball was fielded, and called him safe. The Orioles’ shortstop, Gunnar Henderson, immediately protested, and manager Craig Albernaz crossed the dugout rail to argue the call. Alonso, frustrated, threw the ball into foul territory. The call stood, and the Jays began a five‑run surge.
"Even though Henderson reached out for a tag, Clement’s base path was already established out there, going to the second base, so therefore it was not out of the baseline," Lentz told a pool reporter. Crew chief Hunter Wendelstedt added that the runner’s path was a “very gentlemanly thing to do.” The Orioles declined to accept the decision.
The rally started with Yohendrick Piñango’s fourth home run of the season, followed by an RBI single from Kazuma Okamoto and an RBI double from Andrés Giménez. Nathan Lukes later pinch‑hit for a single that drove in another run. Valenzuela’s seventh homer of the season, his first since April, capped the rally and pushed his season OPS to .822, placing him second on the team in home runs.
"We’re a really good team," Clement said after the game. "We have a chance to be a great team. It’s about nailing things down, and once we firmly figure out our team identity I think this team has a chance to be better than last year."
Pitching was a mixed bag. Kevin Gausman started strong, but in the fifth he yielded four runs, including homers by Colton Cowser and Taylor Ward. He finished with four runs allowed on five hits and five strikeouts. After Gausman exited, Adam Macko, Connor Seabold, Rogers, and Louis Varland each delivered scoreless innings. Varland earned his 11th save, lowering his ERA to 0.26.
"I thought Kev threw the ball really well," Schneider said. "I haven’t looked at it yet. Maybe fortunate there," he added.
The Orioles’ offense was limited; George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went hitless in eight at‑bats. Manager Craig Albernaz expressed frustration with the call but declined to elaborate.
"The only reason that I’m not going to talk about that play is because I’ll get fined," Shane Baz told reporters.
The Blue Jays will face the Philadelphia Phillies next, who have a rotation that includes Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, and Jesus Luzardo. The Jays hope that the return of Dylan Cease and Max Scherzer will give their relievers more rest.
"Hope that with those guys coming back we can give (our relievers) more of a break," Gausman said.
The win keeps the Blue Jays in contention for a wild‑card berth, and the team’s recent performance suggests they are gaining cohesion. Clement noted that the club is "rallying late and we’re really starting to play for each other. It feels really good to get a win like that."
The Orioles remain in the American League East, and the Blue Jays will look to build on this victory as the season progresses.
In the bottom of the sixth, Brandon Valenzuela hit a ground ball that should have ended the inning. Second‑base ump Nic Lentz ruled that Pete Alonso had already established a base path to second before the ball was fielded, and called him safe. The Orioles’ shortstop, Gunnar Henderson, immediately protested, and manager Craig Albernaz crossed the dugout rail to argue the call. Alonso, frustrated, threw the ball into foul territory. The call stood, and the Jays began a five‑run surge.
"Even though Henderson reached out for a tag, Clement’s base path was already established out there, going to the second base, so therefore it was not out of the baseline," Lentz told a pool reporter. Crew chief Hunter Wendelstedt added that the runner’s path was a “very gentlemanly thing to do.” The Orioles declined to accept the decision.
The rally started with Yohendrick Piñango’s fourth home run of the season, followed by an RBI single from Kazuma Okamoto and an RBI double from Andrés Giménez. Nathan Lukes later pinch‑hit for a single that drove in another run. Valenzuela’s seventh homer of the season, his first since April, capped the rally and pushed his season OPS to .822, placing him second on the team in home runs.
"We’re a really good team," Clement said after the game. "We have a chance to be a great team. It’s about nailing things down, and once we firmly figure out our team identity I think this team has a chance to be better than last year."
Pitching was a mixed bag. Kevin Gausman started strong, but in the fifth he yielded four runs, including homers by Colton Cowser and Taylor Ward. He finished with four runs allowed on five hits and five strikeouts. After Gausman exited, Adam Macko, Connor Seabold, Rogers, and Louis Varland each delivered scoreless innings. Varland earned his 11th save, lowering his ERA to 0.26.
"I thought Kev threw the ball really well," Schneider said. "I haven’t looked at it yet. Maybe fortunate there," he added.
The Orioles’ offense was limited; George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went hitless in eight at‑bats. Manager Craig Albernaz expressed frustration with the call but declined to elaborate.
"The only reason that I’m not going to talk about that play is because I’ll get fined," Shane Baz told reporters.
The Blue Jays will face the Philadelphia Phillies next, who have a rotation that includes Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, and Jesus Luzardo. The Jays hope that the return of Dylan Cease and Max Scherzer will give their relievers more rest.
"Hope that with those guys coming back we can give (our relievers) more of a break," Gausman said.
The win keeps the Blue Jays in contention for a wild‑card berth, and the team’s recent performance suggests they are gaining cohesion. Clement noted that the club is "rallying late and we’re really starting to play for each other. It feels really good to get a win like that."
The Orioles remain in the American League East, and the Blue Jays will look to build on this victory as the season progresses.
