The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Angels 5-2, with key contributions from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and strong bullpen performance. Dylan Cease pitched effectively, allowing only two runs over five innings.
Key points
Blue Jays beat Angels 5-2
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two-run homer
Dylan Cease allowed two runs in five innings
Strong bullpen performance secured the win
Game featured key plays from multiple players
Toronto Blue JaysLos Angeles AngelsVladimir Guerrero Jr.Dylan Cease
Apr 20, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (74) is greeted by first base coach Mark Budzinski (53) after hitting a single during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images
Apr 20, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (74) is greeted by first base coach Mark Budzinski (53) after hitting a single during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images
A good all around win. Dylan Cease was effectively wild, as they say, the bullpen was terrific, and while the offence wasnât explosive the did enough in key moments (very much out of character).
Toronto loaded the bases with two outs in the first, on singles by Vladimir Guerrero jr. and Eloy Jimenez and a Kazuma Okamoto grounder that might have ticked off Vladâs toe, causing Angels shortstop Zach Neto to bobbke it, but Lenyn Sosa struck out to prevent them from capitalizing. In the second, Daulton Varsho was hit by a pitch (on his elbow guard, it looked like, and he didnât appear to be in significant pain) but again they could not bring him home. They got on the board in the third. Davis Schneider lead off with a walk and one batter later Vlad clubbed a two run homer to straightaway centre, putting the Jays on top 2-1. The bats went quiet at that point, though, with Reid Detmers sitting down the next eight batters to get through the fifth. Vlad and Jimenez each singled again to open the sixth. Okamoto hit a ground ball into the hole that Neto made a beautiful play on to turn and throw Jimenez out at second, putting men on the corners with one out. Sosa hit a sac fly to left that pushed Vlad across to give them a 3-2 lead. Detmers returned for one batter in the seventh, walking Myles Straw. Tyler Heineman laid down a sact bunt against reliever Chase Silseth to advance Straw, and a Nathan Lukes, hitting for Schneider, singled to extend the lead to 4-2.
Dylan Cease looked good, but the Angels got a run off him on the first on a pair of ground balls. The first, by Nolan Schanuel, went for a double, and the second, by Jorge Soler just ticked off a diving Ernie Clementâs glove and into left to score the runner. He got through the second with just a line single, but more trouble loomed in the third. Neto walked and Mike Trout reached on an infield single, then the two executed a perfect double steal to put two in scoring position with none out. A Schanuel sac fly tied the game at two. Cease walked Yoan Moncada but got out of it without giving up a lead with a strikeout. He had his first 1-2-3 inning in the fourth, picking up his eighth and ninth strikeouts on the way. Following a Neto single, his 10th, 11th, and 12th got him through the fifth. That would be the end, though. It took him 110 pitches to get there, allowing two runs on five hits and a pair of walks.
Braydon Fisher was the first guy out of the pen, getting a double play to erase a walk in a scoreless bottom of six. Louis Varland did him one better, retiring the side in order with a pair of strikeouts in the seventh.
Okamoto walked off Shaun Anderson in the eighth, but that was it. Varland returned to strike out Trout before giving way to Tyler Rogers. Andres Gimenez, whoâd hit for Sosa in the top half of the inning, booted a routine grounder to allow Schanuel to reach, but Rogers recovered by getting the next two innings.
Straw singled to open the ninth. A passed ball allowed him to go to second, and Heineman sac bunted him over to third. That allowed him to come home on a Lukes grounder off Andersonâs leg, expanding the gap to three runs. Jeff Hoffman wasnât his sharpest, but after a Jo Adell single he struck out the next three Angels to lock down the win.
**Jays of the Day:** Vlad (0.25), Lukes (0.12), Varland (0.13)
**Less So:** Heineman just qualifies, but he got hit by about a dozen foul balls today so Iâll give a reprieve and say nobody.
Itâs another 9:38pm ET start tomorrow. Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.47) takes the mound for the Angels, while Patrick Corbin (0-0, 4.66) will hopefully look more like his second Blue Jays start than his first.
Q&A
What was the final score of the Blue Jays vs Angels game on April 20, 2026?
The Toronto Blue Jays won the game against the Los Angeles Angels with a final score of 5-2.
Who were the standout players in the Blue Jays' victory over the Angels?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a significant impact with a two-run homer, while the bullpen, particularly Louis Varland, contributed to the win.
How did Dylan Cease perform in the game against the Angels?
Dylan Cease pitched five innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out twelve batters.
What were the key moments in the Blue Jays' win over the Angels?
Key moments included Guerrero's two-run homer in the third inning and a crucial sac fly by Lenyn Sosa that gave the Jays a lead.
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