TORONTO – Vladimir Guerrero extended his hit streak to 21 games with two singles, but it was his running catch in foul territory that had his teammates talking after the Toronto Blue Jays’ win on Friday.
TORONTO – Vladimir Guerrero extended his hit streak to 21 games with two singles, but it was his running catch in foul territory that had his teammates talking after the Toronto Blue Jays’ win on Friday.
The Blue Jays (54-62) won the series opener 3-1 against the Oakland Athletics (48-69), thanks to Guerrero and an outstanding performance by Jose Berrios (10-9) with eight strikeouts.
With the game tied in the sixth inning, the Athletics had runners on first and third base and two outs. Guerrero chased the third out and, after catching Shea Langeliers’ foul pop-up, crashed into the net and the first row of seats.
“I told him it was some kind of fake jump,” said George Springer, who opened the Blue Jays’ half of the first inning with a solo hit to left field for his 12th home run.
Guerrero wasn’t done yet. In the bottom of the sixth inning, he hit his second sharp single of the game with one out. He then advanced to third base on a throwing error by Athletics shortstop Max Schuemann and scored on a groundout to third base by Alejandro Kirk.
“It’s like watching my two kids play PlayStation like he does,” Berrios said of Guerrero’s latest game.
The Blue Jays’ strong first baseman hit a strong single in the first and sixth innings and went 2 for 4.
His series produced a .506 average (39 of 77) with 11 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 22 RBI.
“The play he made at the end of the sixth is kind of overlooked,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “It was a damn good play and it kind of saves Jose.”
Guerrero nearly caught another ball in foul territory in the fifth inning, but he failed to make a slide catch. He then smiled and pointed to Springer behind him in right field, joking that Springer should have been there.
“I told him he’s the one with the gold on his glove,” Springer said, referring to Guerrero’s Gold Glove award in 2022.
The Athletics entered the game with an 11-7 record since the All-Star break, but were no match for Berrios.
His seven-inning performance, which included an effective curveball, limited the Athletics to a single run on six hits and a walk.
Following strong starts from veterans Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman earlier in the week, Berrios performed just as well in front of 39,894 spectators at the Rogers Centre.
“I had my throws well under control, especially the curve,” he said.
Toronto’s rookie shortstop Leo Jimenez also made a memorable dive on a line drive from Langelier’s bat, the same victim as Guerrero’s catch.
The teams exchanged solo home runs early.
Springer hit a 421 drive into the second deck in left field in the first inning.
Daulton Varsho followed with a sharp single to right field, but was thrown out by Guerrero’s single to center while attempting to move from first to third base.
In the third inning, Oakland’s rookie third baseman Darrell Hernaiz hit his first home run in his 77th at-bat. His solo hit went just over the left-field wall and tied the game.
Athletics starter Mitch Spence (7-8) allowed two runs with two strikeouts in his 5 2/3 innings.
Spencer Horwitz ended the scoring with a monster solo home run into the third deck in right field in the eighth inning.
Reliever Chad Green threw a clean ninth inning for his eleventh save.
CHASE RICKEY
Springer’s first home run was the 58th of his career. Only former Blue Jays outfielder Rickey Henderson has more home runs in Major League Baseball history, with 81.
ON DECK
Yariel Rodriguez (1-4) will start for Toronto in the middle game of the three-game series against Oakland on Saturday. The Athletics will counter with right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-3).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 9, 2024.
Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press
