SECOND 💥 HALF 💥 HEATER 💥 #PLAKATA
Instant Reaction: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a clutch home run in Blue Jays’ 2-1 win over Cubs
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Aug 14, 2025, 17:30 EDTUpdated: Aug 14, 2025, 17:58 EDT
Thursday’s game was a staple win for the Toronto Blue Jays.
They played the rubber match against the Chicago Cubs, defeating them 2-1 to win two of three. With the win, the Blue Jays’ record moves to 71-51, and they’ll have a five-game lead over the Boston Red Sox entering Friday. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one!
This game was a pitching duel for the first five innings, but the Cubs jumped on the board first as Michael Busch hit a solo home run off Max Scherzer. Leading off the bottom of the seventh, Davis Schneider drew a lead-off walk, and after a sacrifice bunt from Ernie Clement, up stepped Vladimir Guerrero Jr. On a 0-2 pitch, Guerrero Jr. hit a home run to the deepest part of the ballpark for a 2-1 lead.
The Cubs threatened in the top of the eighth, but the bullpen came in clutch and the Jays were able to hold on for the victory and series win.
Takeaways…
Let’s look at the top of the eighth. For the first time in his Blue Jays career, Max Scherzer pitched in the eighth inning. He gave up a lead-off double and was pulled. In came Brendon Little, who walked the first batter he saw. After a wild pitch, he was able to strike out the next two batters. With a right-handed batter coming to the plate, the Jays went to Seranthony Domínguez, who struck out the only batter he faced. Huge.
Jeff Hoffman entered the game in the top of the ninth for the save. First up was Canadian Owen Caissie, who struck out on three pitches. Nico Hoerner singles, but Hoffman was able to strike out Willi Castro to put the Cubs on the brink. After going down 2-0 to Dansby Swanson, Hoffman threw three consecutive strikes for the win, the last one coming on a swing and a miss.
Day game. Night game. Weekend. Weekday. Doesn't matter. You have been PHENOMENAL, #BlueJays fans 🗣️
Sticking with pitchers, Scherzer was terrific. He gave up one earned run, striking out three and pitching 7+ innings. There’s a legitimate case he should pitch in Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series, as he’s been terrific over the past six games.
After just two hits in Wednesday’s game, the Blue Jays only had three. However, they seized their one shot, their one opportunity, seizing the game with one swing of the bat from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Safe to say he captured the moment.
Davis Schneider drew the lead-off walk and scored one of the two runs on the home run, but that wasn’t his highlight moment. In the top of the first, Schneider made a catch of the year contender, robbing Caissie of his first career hit by sprawling and catching the ball with his back to the plate.
Davis Schneider lays out to make an INCREDIBLE catch to rob Owen Caissie of his first hit 😱
The Jays continue their home stand on Friday, as they host the Texas Rangers for a three-game series. It’s a 7:07 PM ET start time with Chris Bassitt on the mound, with the game on Apple TV+.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.