NEW YORK – Vladimir Guerrero Jr., now the face of Toronto Blue Jays champion, also looked like a real Maple Leaf on Wednesday night.
Guerrero shook off a bloody wound on his ring finger on his right finger to strike three home runs against rival Yankees, including two of Gerrit Cole’s aces, in Toronto’s 6-4 victory.
“A blow from the other world,” New York manager Aaron Boone told Guerrero. “One of the best strikers in the world.”
The MVP runner-up in the American League defeated Cole in the first inning, got his hand accidentally in first base play in the second, then hit Homer with a line from Cole in the third to bring Toronto 3-0. He doubled Cole in the sixth – made the pitcher show that he was tilting his hat on the 23-year-old – then started a 443-foot lead from Hower against Jonathan Loaisiga in the eighth for a 5-3 lead.
“Did you see his night?” Cole said he was available after the game when asked about the top of the cap. If you had a cap, it would tip.
It was the second three-homer game of Guerrero’s career, corresponding to the highest set of his career last April 27 against Washington.
The Blue Jays took two of three from the Yankees with the series’ final on Thursday. The new team from New York fought offensively during the opening season of the season as a host, even received some booing from the loyal Yankees.
2 Related
Guerrero seemed about to leave in the second inning when his bare throwing hand was accidentally pierced by baserunner Aaron Hicks. Guerrero had to reach through his body to throw a Bo Bischet and place his right hand behind the first base bag to balance. Hicks stepped on him, running out of singles in the field.
Guerrero, 23, immediately started waving his hand, then walked to the Toronto dugout as blood dripped on his uniform and grass.
In a show of toughness that is sure to satisfy Toronto hockey fans, Guerrero taped his wound with training tape and returned to first base a few minutes later.
With a bloodstain on the right thigh of his pants, he hit the top of the third again and turned Cole’s 98 mph fast ball into a 427-foot Homer with two runs and a 3-0 lead for the Blue Jays.
Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said after the victory that Guerrero simply did not want to leave the game and that, of course, the team did not want that either. Montoyo, in his presence in the media, also credited the Toronto training headquarters for preparing the first baseman to return.
“Apart from Vladi, the coaches were the MVP tonight,” said Montoyo
Guerrero received two stitches after the match, but said his arm was feeling well, although he expected some pain on Thursday.
“It’s not that bad,” he said.
Guerrero used his right hand for high fives with base coaches Mark Budzinski and Luis Rivera as he walked around the basics, then clapped his hands firmly before touching the home sign.
Guerrero’s first Homer was almost robbed in the center by Hicks, who jumped over the wall and briefly held the ball in his glove. He fell when Hicks hit the wall, bounced off something beyond the home run barrier, and re-entered the game. A review of the replay confirmed that the ball went out.
“I wish it was against someone else,” said New York outfielder Aaron Judge, “so I can watch it on TV and not see it live.”
Guerrero has four homers in six games this season, after leading the big 48 last season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Add Comment