(Toronto) While he had the golden sombrero in the mirrors, the powerful Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returned to his usual form on Friday.
Posted at 10:43 p.m.
Updated at 11:38 p.m.
Guerrero hit a solo homer and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-1 at Rogers Centre.
Guerrero, who hit three long pitches in Wednesday’s game against the New York Yankees, also had a single and a walk after a rare four-strikeout night the night before.
“He’s definitely a force,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. He showed it in his appearances at the plate tonight, throughout the game. He is a dynamic player. »
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Raimel Tapia and Zack Collins all got two balls to safety for the Blue Jays (5-3), who won the first game of this series of three against the Athletics.
Guerrero, who leads the Majors with five homers this season, opened the scoring in the first inning, catapulting an offering from starter Daulton Jefferies (0-1) over the fence.
Stopper Jordan Romano closed the books in the ninth inning to record a fifth save in as many occasions.
Tapia gave Toronto a 2-0 lead in the second inning when he went from first base to cross home plate on a double by Santiago Espinal.
Blue Jays starter Ross Stripling struck out the Athletics’ first seven batters in order before allowing a double to Kevin Smith. He gave up no runs in four innings.
Pitch-hitter Chad Pinder drove in the Athletics’ lone run in the game, in the sixth inning.
Tim Mayza allowed two singles before being replaced by Adam Cimber (3-0) after an out. Pinder greeted him with a single that pushed Tony Kemp to the plate.
Pinder stole second base to put two runners in scoring position, but Cimber forced Seth Brown out on a fly.
The Blue Jays added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Espinal was intentionally walked before Collins slammed a productive single.
Gurriel, who came in to score on Collins’ single, sent George Springer home with a single. Springer had started the seventh inning with a double.
Stripling gave up two hits. The right-hander, whose shot count was monitored, made 62 throws, 40 of which were for catches.
“He did what we needed,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. We needed at least four innings and that’s what he gave. We were ahead when he left the mound. It’s very good work on his part. »
Jefferies allowed two earned runs, seven hits and one walk in four and a third innings on the mound.