Sat Jul 05 21:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the text:
**Blue Jays Win in Dramatic Fashion with Walk-Off Bunt, Extend Winning Streak to Six**
**TORONTO** – In a moment of unexpected brilliance, Ernie Clement executed a walk-off bunt in the 10th inning Friday night, propelling the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The unconventional play, which saw Clement drop the ball perfectly between the pitcher and third baseman, led to a throwing error and a wild celebration at Rogers Centre.
“I got to practice bunting a lot in college. They made me bunt a lot when they didn’t know I could hit,” Clement said. “Then, as they realized I could hit, I stopped bunting, but I was always practicing. Whatever it takes for the team was the common theme in college and it’s kind of where we’re at now. You’ve got to stick your nose in.”
Manager John Schneider, recalling a similar play from his Double-A days, praised his team’s ability to win in multiple ways, echoing hitting coach David Popkins’ sentiment that great offenses are versatile. “These guys don’t care who it is and they don’t care how we do it,” Schneider said.
The win marks the Blue Jays’ sixth consecutive victory, their longest streak of the season, solidifying their first-place position in the American League East, two games ahead of the Yankees and Rays. While recent wins against the Yankees were hard-fought slugfests, Friday night’s win highlighted the Blue Jays’ resourcefulness and ability to capitalize on small opportunities.
Adding to the positive momentum, starting pitcher Eric Lauer continued his stellar season with another strong performance, pitching six-plus innings and lowering his ERA to 2.65. Lauer’s unexpected success has been a crucial boost to the Blue Jays’ rotation. “This is fun, man. Winning is fun and we never feel like we’re out of a game,” Lauer said.
“He’s been really, really good,” said Chris Bassitt, never one for empty praise. “He throws multiple pitches in different spots to keep guys off balance and he throws a lot of strikes. He’s been a calming presence for us. He’s been possibly our best starter the last couple of weeks. I can’t say enough good things about what he’s done and how good of a pitcher he is.”
Lauer, who had a stint playing in Korea earlier in the year, has emerged as a reliable force for the Blue Jays after signing a minor league deal in the spring. His resurgence, combined with the team’s newfound ability to win in various ways, is fueling optimism for a deep postseason run. The Blue Jays have all the momentum in the world with a postseason run laid out in front of them.
First Piper 