(Toronto) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a 100e career home run on Wednesday, helping the Toronto Blue Jays win 5-1 over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Posted yesterday at 11:50 p.m.
Guerrero hit a long solo ball in the first inning. We were able to give him the ball because it had fallen into the Blue Jays bullpen. Guerrero intends to give it to his father, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“He’s going to be very proud of me,” the younger Guerrero said. I think any father would be when his son does something like that. »
Guerrero drove in another run on an optional in the third inning.
Bo Bichette, Santiago Espinal and Raimel Tapia added one-run singles for the Jays, leaders of the trio of clubs that would reach the playoffs without being section champions, in the American.
Toronto leads Seattle by a half game and Tampa Bay by a game and a half.
Bichette has produced 15 runs in his last 10 games, posting a .465 batting average during that span.
Ross Stripling (8-4) allowed one run and three hits in six-and-a-third innings, disposing of four batters on strike.
Coming out of the game, he was warmly greeted by the crowd of 24,282.
Stripling usually worked in long relief, but he joined the rotation when Hyun-Jin Ryu had to end his season, the result of Tommy John surgery.
Stripling has 21 starts this season.
“I’m proud of how I reacted to the opportunity I was given,” Stripling said. I’ve experienced that before, but this seems more special to me. Our section is strong, we want to have a place in the playoffs and the club needed me a lot after the injury to Hyun-Jin. »
Adam Cimber, Yimi Garcia and Anthony Bass completed relief work.
Harold Ramirez homered in a losing cause.
Drew Rasmussen (10-5) allowed four runs and six hits in four innings.
Guerrero hit a 28e circuit this year, ending a 14-game dry spell without a gun.
“I don’t really worry about that kind of stuff (the hunger pangs),” Guerrero said. The season is long and there are many ups and downs. I give everything in every game. »
Danny Jansen hit two doubles; after the second he came to score thanks to a single from Tapia, bringing the score to 5-0, in the sixth inning.
Thursday’s starting pitchers will be Shane McClanahan and Kevin Gausman, beginning at 3:07 p.m.