George Springer leadoff home run sets tone for Blue Jays win

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Note the unusual 12:15 p.m. start time for Sunday’s series finale

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Published May 23, 2026 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 3 minute read

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George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays high-fives teammates after hitting a home run in the first inning of an MLB game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Rogers Centre on May 23, 2026 in Toronto. Photo by Tara Walton /Getty ImagesArticle content

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Three pitches into the bottom of the first inning, and the Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead when George Springer took Paul Skenes deep into left field for a leadoff home run, by far the ideal way to start a game knowing the opposition’s starter is among baseball’s best.

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Springer’s blast was the catalyst on an afternoon in which the Blue Jays would ride a welcome quality start from recycled left-hander Patrick Corbin to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2, increasing their win streak to four in a row, a season-high.

The club is now in position to record a series sweep for the first time since opening weekend when the Athletics were in town.

In some corners, Skenes ranks as the pre-eminent starting pitcher in the business. It was his first start at the Rogers Centre where fans didn’t seem to appreciate the occasion.

But Springer’s dinger elicited an eruption from the faithful as the veteran went deep for the fifth time this season, belting the 65th leadoff homer of his career, placing him second behind the legendary Rickey Henderson (81) for the most in MLB history.

A tweak to the Jays’ batting order saw Vladimir Guerrero Jr. back in the No. 3 hole with the ever-emerging Yohendrick Pinango batting cleanup.

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The following are three takeaways on a day in which Tyler Heineman homered for the first time this season and Pirates manager Don Kelly got tossed after blowing his lid on a blown checked-swing call on Jesus Sanchez, then vehemently objecting to another checked-swing call on Lenyn Sosa.

SKINNY ON SKENES

Skenes needed 22 pitches to get out of a first inning in which, besides the Springer homer, the electric right-hander yielded a double to Pinango and a walk to Daulton Varsho.

Skenes had his first clean inning in the third, but in the fourth, Sanchez hit a double on a sequence that required video review. Another double was recorded, this time by Springer, with two outs in the fifth.

Through five innings, Skenes’ pitch count stood at 81, while giving up five hits and recording two strikeouts.

The sixth proved to be Skenes’ undoing, when the Jays chased him after scoring three runs on three singles and a double.

Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during an MLB game at the Rogers Centre on May 23, 2026 in Toronto. Photo by Tara Walton /Getty ImagesTHE CORBIN-ATOR

Patrick Corbin does not have the same cachet as Skenes, but the wily veteran has turned into a reliable option for the Jays, who signed the left-hander out of desperation at a time when Toronto’s starters were dropping much like the club’s record.

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Nothing is set in stone when it comes to Corbin’s long-term viability with the franchise, but when he’s on the mound, good things often happen.

It would be a stretch to call Saturday’s game a pitchers’ duel, but runs were scarce for the better part of the day.

The Pirates scored their first run in the top of the sixth with two outs to tie the game 1-1.

When all was said and done, Corbin outpitched Skenes, a description no one, including the most delusional fan of the Blue Jays, would have dared utter.

In his ninth start of the season, Corbin’s six-inning outing was his longest. He allowed five hits and the one run, striking out seven and walking none.

Not bad for someone who was signed to a $1-million contract, an investment the Jays have clearly made the most of, knowing future gains remain on the table.

SWINGING WITH SANCHEZ

Much like the potential dilemma facing the Jays with Pinango, a similar predicament awaits involving Jesus Sanchez.

Keep in mind the club’s injured players, all of whom played key roles last season, will be back at some point and roster moves will have to be made.

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Sanchez is a hit-and-miss hitter, but when he’s raking, the left-hander is a tough out. He’s currently on a six-game hitting streak, going 8-for-15 and is batting .284 for the season with five homers.

On Saturday, Sanchez had two doubles, scored a run, and knocked in a run.

UP NEXT

Note the unusual 12:15 p.m. start time for Sunday’s series finale. The Jays will have Dylan Cease on the mound against Mitch Keller.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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