Aldo Gaxiola crushed an opposite-field three-run homer in the first inning and drove in five runs across two games Wednesday, Aug. 5, as the Dunedin Blue Jays routed the Lakeland Flying Tigers 11-0 in Game 1 before dropping Game 2, 6-3, at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The five-RBI night tied a career high Gaxiola first set July 21 against Bradenton.

Gaxiola's first-inning blast, his 11th homer of the season, staked Dunedin to a 5-0 lead. He finished 2-for-8 on the day with four RBI in the opener and one more in the nightcap. Over his last 11 games entering Wednesday, the designated hitter was batting .317 with two homers, 15 RBI and a .957 OPS, according to the team's recap on MiLB.com.

Shortstop JoJo Parker, Toronto's top-ranked prospect, extended his hit streak to six games and his on-base streak to 13 with a 2-for-5 day that included a two-run double hit at 107.5 mph in the fourth inning of Game 1. Over the six-game streak, Parker is batting .385 with five extra-base hits, 11 RBI and a 1.294 OPS.

The Game 1 pitching staff was just as dominant.

Left-hander Brandon Barriera, in his second start since returning from the injured list, threw 2.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Right-hander Edrwin Veras followed with 3.1 shutout frames, striking out five without issuing a walk, to earn the win. Nolan Higgins closed it out as the trio combined for Dunedin's fifth shutout of the 2026 season.

Veras has now won both of his outings with Dunedin, allowing just one run over 6.2 innings with eight strikeouts and zero walks.

Center fielder Jake Cook opened the scoring in Game 1 with an RBI single off MLB rehabber Brant Hurter, hit at 104.1 mph, and finished 2-for-4 for his 16th multi-hit game of the season. Catcher Giaconino Lasaracina added a two-run homer in the seventh that left the bat at 107.9 mph, his 10th long ball of the year.

Game 2 started poorly for Dunedin, which fell behind 3-0 before rallying to tie the score in the third inning. Lakeland answered with three unanswered runs to close out the 6-3 win and earn the split.

The split left Dunedin at 18-18 in the second-half Florida State League West standings, 6.5 games behind the Tampa Tarpons. The Blue Jays continue the road series at Lakeland on Thursday, Aug. 6.