Blue Jays’ Addison Barger hits first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history

TORONTO AP Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger launched the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history during Toronto s - Encounter domination over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night Batting for Davis Schneider against left-hander Anthony Banda Barger drilled a - slider feet to right-center his third home run this postseason I was choking up a little bit just trying to put the ball in the air and get a run in in that situation Barger mentioned Barger s drive was the first postseason grand slam in Toronto history and the big blow in a nine-run sixth inning that gave the Blue Jays an - lead over the defending World Series champions After he was narrated to get ready to pinch hit Barger ran to the club s high-tech Trajekt pitching machine to watch simulated pitches from Dodgers righty Emmet Sheehan who was in the meeting at the time He was surprised to face Banda instead I know it s a tough at bat left on left but the goal was just put the barrel on the ball hopefully hit it in the air and get the run in Barger announced I hope he doesn t know who is pitching the day after Toronto manager John Schneider joked Barger hit for Davis Schneider a night after crashing on his teammate s pull-out couch It wasn t straightaway clear why Barger didn t have anywhere else to sleep It was so funny Schneider mentioned I looked over and just saw him sleeping there in the middle of the night He s a headcase but he s funny Barger arrived at the ballpark Thursday wearing a t-shirt that read I hit balls hard one he revealed came from a minor league hitting coach He got another shirt after Friday s win a gift from Hall of Famer and Fox TV panelist David Ortiz during his appearance on the postgame show but declined it I left it Barger explained It has Red Sox on it I m not wearing that Are you kidding me Fellow outfielder Myles Straw agreed calling Barger one of the funniest guys I ve ever played with He s hilarious Straw declared That s what makes him who he is and that s why we all love him There s no one else like him I promise you He s got particular loose screws for sure Alejandro Kirk added a two-run homer later in the sixth for Toronto It marked the third-biggest inning in World Series history The Philadelphia Athletics scored runs in the seventh against the Chicago Cubs in Battle in and the Detroit Tigers matched that total in the third inning of Meeting against the St Louis Cardinals in Toronto is in the World Series for the first time since winning the second of back-to-back titles in Barger hit home runs in the regular season his second in the majors AP MLB https apnews com hub mlb Source