The Toronto Blue Jays continued their strong run on Tuesday with a 7-3 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Blue Jays improved their season record to 74-53 as they press forward in the American League East race, while the struggling Pirates fell to 53-74 in the National League Central.
Max Scherzer pitched effectively for Toronto, earning his sixth win against two losses this season. Over six innings, Scherzer allowed only one earned run and struck out four batters, helping the team maintain their momentum.
Alejandro Kirk’s Memorable Performance Links Him to Franchise Legends
Offensively, Alejandro Kirk stood out, contributing a three-hit game where he went 3-for-5, including a home run and two singles, and drove in three runs. His performance against Pittsburgh tied him with former catcher Pat Borders for the second-most career games with three or more hits as a catcher in Blue Jays history, both with 28. They trail only Ernie Whitt, who has 37 such games, and Darrin Fletcher, who holds 30.
Alongside Kirk and Borders, the list includes notable catchers like Danny Jansen (20), Russell Martin (18), and Gregg Zaun (16), underscoring Kirk’s growing impact on the franchise.
Pat Borders’ Legacy and Kirk’s Emerging Role
Pat Borders, who Kirk matched in this record, had a distinguished 17-year Major League career, including stints with the Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, California Angels, and Minnesota Twins. Borders is remembered especially for his role in Toronto’s back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993. He posted an exceptional .450 batting average in the 1992 series and .304 in 1993, cementing his status as one of the franchise’s all-time great catchers.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Kirk is proving to be a vital contributor this season, hitting .296 with 10 home runs and 56 runs batted in, bolstering the Blue Jays’ offensive efforts as they push for a division title.
Next Up: Final Game of the Series Against the Pirates
The Blue Jays will wrap up the series on Wednesday at PNC Park with a noon start. Chris Bassitt is set to pitch for Toronto, facing off against Pittsburgh’s Johan Oviedo. This matchup will be critical for Toronto as they look to continue their winning streak and maintain their advantage in the American League East.