Jays slugger Barger hits grand slam in pre-season loss to Red Sox

By Canadian Press on March 2, 2026.

DUNEDIN — Addison Barger hit a grand slam and starter Cody Ponce worked two innings as the Toronto Blue Jays dropped a 7-6 decision to the Boston Red Sox in pre-season play on Monday afternoon.

Barger went deep off Red Sox reliever Patrick Halligan in Toronto’s five-run fifth inning at TD Ballpark.

Ponce allowed one earned run and four hits while striking out a pair in his second start of the spring.

Nathan Hickey hit a go-ahead two-run homer for the Red Sox (6-4) in the eighth inning off Devereaux Harrison (0-1).

Charles McAdoo had a solo shot for Toronto (2-7) in the ninth.

Seth Martinez (1-0) worked two innings for the victory and Michael Sansone got the last three outs for his second save.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2026.

The Canadian Press