Kirk's Extra-Inning Double Lifts Blue Jays Past Cardinals 5-4

Monday, June 9th, 2025

ST. LOUIS — Alejandro Kirk homered and had four hits, including a go-ahead double in the 10th inning as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied late for a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night.

Kirk opened the 10th with a double off Phil Maton to score automatic runner Addison Barger from second base. Jeff Hoffman then pitched a 1-2-3 inning for his 16th save in 19 opportunities, helping the Blue Jays (36-30) win for the 10th time in 12 games.

After blowing a three-run lead in the eighth, Toronto tied it at 4 in the ninth when No. 9 batter Jonatan Clase hit his first home run this year and the second of his career — a one-out shot off Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.

Kirk launched his fourth home run, a solo shot, on a full-count pitch from reliever Riley O'Brien for a 3-0 lead in the eighth.

But in the bottom half of the eighth, Willson Contreras doubled home the first St. Louis run and Iván Herrera hit a three-run homer off Yariel Rodríguez to give the Cardinals a 4-3 lead. Rodríguez, who entered with two on and two outs in a 3-0 game, had allowed just one of 13 inherited runners to score this season before Herrera's homer.

Blue Jays starter José Berríos allowed two hits in 6 2/3 shutout innings. Toronto initially grabbed a 2-0 lead against Cardinals starter Andres Pallente, using George Springer's run-scoring double in the first and Bo Bichette's RBI single in the second. Pallente permitted seven hits in six innings.

Key moment

José Berríos' exit in the seventh inning energized the Cardinals, allowing them to take a temporary lead before Jonatan Clase and Alejandro Kirk delivered late for the Blue Jays.

Key stat

The Blue Jays now lead the all-time series against the Cardinals 15-14. Toronto swept all three games against St. Louis last season when the teams met in Toronto.

Up next

The series continues Tuesday with Toronto RHP Chris Bassitt (6-3, 3.56 ERA) scheduled to start against Cardinals RHP Miles Mikolas (4-2, 3.96 ERA).

In summary

The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 in 10 innings on June 9, 2025, in St. Louis. Alejandro Kirk was a key contributor for the Blue Jays, hitting a solo home run and the game-winning RBI double in the 10th. Jonatan Clase hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning. The Cardinals took a brief lead in the eighth inning on a three-run homer by Iván Herrera after the Blue Jays starter José Berríos pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings. Jeff Hoffman earned the save for Toronto.

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