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Barger continues to flourish with Blue Jays

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TORONTO – Addison Barger has played a big part in the Toronto Blue Jays’ rise to the top of the American League East division this season.

The 25-year-old utilityman continued his breakout season on Sunday afternoon, going 1 for 4 with a towering two-run home run to help the Blue Jays sweep their three-game series versus the San Francisco Giants with an 8-6 victory. The day prior, Barger notched the first four-hit game of his career, going 4 for 4 with a double.

Sunday’s home run gave Barger 14 on the season, three behind George Springer for the team lead. His .846 OPS ranks second behind Springer as well among Blue Jays hitters with over 100 plate appearances, while his .514 slugging percentage ranks first.

“I think that one went a little farther than 407 (feet),” joked Blue Jays manager John Schneider of Barger’s home run.

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On a team littered with star power, Schneider says Barger is earning his place among them.

“I think he’s there,” said Schneider post-game. “I think he’s been there for a while. He’s playing pretty regularly, he’s doing a lot of damage, he’s hitting the ball hard. He’s usually in the top five (hitters in the lineup). So, yeah, I think he’s there.”

Barger’s breakout has now led to his manager trusting him, a left-handed batter, to face off against left-handed pitchers, a rarity for a rookie with as little experience as Barger has. With lefty starter Robbie Ray on the mound on Sunday, Barger remained in the starting lineup, batting sixth.

“I think it’s an approach and having a plan,” Schneider said of Barger facing left-handed pitching. “Sometimes, it’s sitting on a pitch. Sometimes, it’s taking some shots. Sometimes, it’s letting the ball travel and hitting it a little deep. But I think, with his skills, you trust that something good is going to happen.

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“And I think, too, with his preparation, that’s kind of what separated him a little bit. Not being afraid to go against a tough lefty.”

Barger credits much of his success to Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins and his staff.

“They come up with most of the plans,” explained Barger post-game.

“We come up with our own plans based off of reports and video. It’s a combination of us working with them. And they’re open to certain things and there’s a lot of back and forth. So, they’re extremely important.”

Now set to host division rival New York Yankees for a three-game series on Monday, the Blue Jays will need Barger to continue his impressive offensive breakout with important divisional implications on the line.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2025.


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Crown Royal bottler closing down Ontario plant, moving operations to U.S.

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Spirits maker Diageo will cease operations at its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., early next year, as it shifts some bottling volume to the U.S., the company announced on Thursday.

The facility, which bottles Crown Royal products, will close in February in a move aimed at improving its North American supply chain.

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About 200 jobs will be affected.

“This was a difficult decision, but one that is crucial to improving the efficiency and resiliency of our supply chain network,” Marsha McIntosh, Diageo’s president of North America supply, said in a statement.

Diageo said it will engage with the community and find ways to support its employees through the transition, and work alongside Unifor to assist unionized workers.

The company said it will still maintain a “significant” footprint in Canada — including its headquarters and warehouse operations in the Greater Toronto Area, and bottling and distillation facilities in Manitoba and Quebec.

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McIntosh added the company’s Crown Royal products will continue to be mashed, distilled and aged at its Canadian facilities.

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Man faces attempted murder charge after two men struck by car in Toronto: police

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Toronto police say a 33-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly striking two men with his car Wednesday evening.

Officers say they responded to reports of a collision in the area of Don Mills Road and Gateway Boulevard in the city’s North York neighbourhood just before 10:30 p.m.

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Police say two men got into an argument, leading to one man getting into his car and hitting the other man with it.

They say the man then put his car into reverse, striking a second man.

A man in his 50s was transported to hospital with serious injuries and the second man, in his 20s, had minor injuries.

Police say the suspect from Markham, Ont., faces several other charges as well, including two counts of assault with a weapon, uttering threats and dangerous driving.


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Intruder in Ontario home invasion case carried a crossbow, court docs say

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A court document shows a Lindsay, Ont., man facing charges for allegedly breaking into an apartment was carrying a crossbow when he was confronted by a tenant.

The resident, Jeremy David McDonald, is also facing assault charges in the incident on Aug. 18 — a fact that has generated widespread interest in the case.

Police information filed in court alleges that Michael Kyle Breen damaged a window and screen at McDonald’s home and carried a crossbow.

The court document says the 41-year-old Breen is charged with break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order.

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Police have said that Breen, who is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing next week, was already wanted for unrelated offences.

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McDonald, the 44-year-old resident, was charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after he allegedly “did endanger the life” of Breen.

Premier Doug Ford blasted the decision to charge the apartment resident, saying last week that it shows “something is broken.”

Kawartha Lakes Police Chief Kirk Robertson wrote in a statement Wednesday that he recognizes the incident has generated significant public interest and “emotional” responses, but called some of the reaction “unjust and inaccurate.”

Robertson wrote that individuals have the right to defend themselves and their property, but the law requires that any defensive action be proportionate to the threat faced.

“This means that while homeowners do have the right to protect themselves and their property, the use of force must be reasonable given the circumstances,” he wrote.


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