Addison Barger’s Pinch-Hit Grand Slam in World Series Game 1 Sends Fans into Frenzy

Addison Barger hit the first-ever pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history as the Toronto Blue Jays won Game 1 with an 11-4 score.

Addison Barger’s Pinch-Hit Grand Slam in World Series Game 1 Sends Fans into Frenzy

Addison Barger (Image via Instagram/@bluejays)

The city of Toronto was bursting with joy on Friday night as the Toronto Blue Jays made a huge statement. In Game 1 of the 2025 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Addison Barger stole the show with a pinch-hit grand slam, sending the fans into a frenzy.

The Blue Jays were playing in their first World Series Game in over 32 years. Their last appearance in the Fall Classic was in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series, in which Joe Carter hit an iconic walk-off home run, which helped them go back-to-back as champions.

As for the Dodgers, their last appearance came just a year ago. The NL West side took down the New York Yankees in Game 5 by coming back from 5-0 down to win the World Series for the 8th time. The Dodgers were looking for a similar start this year as they aimed to go back-to-back and defend their title.

Game 1 started well for them as singles from Enrique Hernandez in the 2nd and Will Smith in the 3rd inning put them 2-0 up. The Blue Jays responded with a 2-run home run from Daulton Varsho in the 4th inning. Varsho became the first left-handed hitter since Juan Soto in June 2024 to hit a home run off Blake Snell.

The Dodgers pitcher found himself in trouble in the 6th inning. After walking Bo Bichette, he gave up a single to Alejandro Kirk and then hit Varsho with a pitch. With the bases loaded, Snell was replaced by Emmet Sheehan by manager Dave Roberts.

Sheehan would surrender a single to Ernie Clement, which saw the Blue Jays turn the game around. He would then give up a bases-loaded walk to Nathan Lukes and a single to Andres Gimenez, which made it a 5-2 game.

While Springer would ground out later, Sheehan was then replaced by Anthony Banda. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays put in Addison Barger to pinch hit in for Davis Schneider. This move turned out well for the hosts.

On a 2-1 pitch, Barger would crush an 85 mph slider and send the ball flying into the right center field for a pinch-hit grand slam. It turned out to be the first grand slam in the World Series for the Blue Jays. It is also the first-ever pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history.

A single from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was followed with another home run. Kirk would hit a 2-run bomb to center field of Banda to extend their lead to 11-2. The Blue Jays ended up posting 9 runs in the 6th inning.

A two-run home run from Shohei Ohtani cut the deficit to 11-4 in the 7th inning. However, even he was unable to save the Dodgers from suffering a crushing 11-4 defeat in Game 1.

Social media reacts as Addison Barger’s grand slam leads Blue Jays to Game 1 win

The Toronto Blue Jays had the most perfect start in the World Series as they took down the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 in Game 1. Addison Barger’s grand slam became the highlight moment of the game.

Addison Barger
Addison Barger (Image via ESPN)

Fans on social media would go into a frenzy as Barger’s bomb stunned the Dodgers. Users on X would hype him up following his blast and praised him. Some threw digs at the Los Angeles side and trolled them. Check out some fan reactions from X below:

As per reports from MLB.com, only two teams in World Series history have scored more runs in a single inning than the Blue Jays’ 9 runs in the 6th inning. The 1968 Tigers and the 1929 Philadelphia Athletics both scored 10 runs in one inning, which is the most by any team in a single inning in World Series history.

Scotiabank Arena erupts in joy following Addison Barger’s iconic grand slam

Addison Barger wrote his name in Canadian sports folklore on Friday with a grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series. Scotiabank Arena, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, would erupt in joy as Barger’s bomb saw the Blue Jays break open the 6th inning.

Addison Barger
Addison Barger (Image via MLB)

In a video gone viral on social media, security and fans were seen cheering loudly and celebrating Barger’s home run after it was shown on the jumbotron. Spectators can been seen jumping up and down as the Blue Jays star rounded off the bases. Check out the video below:

While it is only Game 1, the Blue Jays are now just 3 more wins from winning it all. Barger and his teammates will now be hoping to keep the momentum going and take a 2-0 series on Saturday before traveling to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles for Game 3.

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