Buffalo backup plan hits stride

Ex-Bisons bail out ice-cold veterans in series victory over Guardians

- GREGOR CHISHOLM

After the Blue Jays' Buffalo connection helped load the bases, Daulton Varsho cleared them with game-changing grand slam in Sunday's win over the Guardians.

Blue Jays 7

Guardians 6

Next: Tonight

vs. Red Sox

7 p.m. (Sportsnet)

The Blue Jays have been in desperate need of an offensive spark for most of the season and the Boys from Buffalo appear intent on providing it.

Davis Schneider, Spencer Horwitz, Ernie Clement and Addison Barger had their fingerprints all over Sunday’s 7-6 win against the Cleveland Guardians at the Rogers Centre. They weren’t responsible for every run, but they were involved in every rally.

Daulton Varsho hit the game-changing grand slam in a fifth inning that was started by Horwitz and Schneider reaching base. Clement hit a two-run homer, while Barger had two of the hardest-hit balls to go along with an RBI and a stolen base in the victory.

“They’re great ballplayers and they want to establish themselves at this level,” said Jays right-hander José Berríos, who earned the win after giving up four runs across six innings. “They’ve been doing great, working and learning from the veteran guys. If they have success out there, they’re going to help our guys.”