Vlad Jr. blasts his 5th homer in the last 6 games!
Instant Reaction: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his fifth home run in six games in the Blue Jays’ 6-3 victory over the Rays
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro - USA Today
Jul 24, 2024, 21:45 EDTUpdated: Jul 24, 2024, 22:05 EDT
Can Vladimir Guerrero Jr. be stopped?
On Wednesday, the Blue Jays faced off against the Tampa Bay Rays, defeating the fellow American League East team 6-3 to bring their season record to 46-55.
The Blue Jays jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, thanks to a single from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that scored Spencer Horwitz. Two innings later in his next at-bat, Guerrero Jr. hit another home run to give the Jays a 2-0 lead and his 18 long-ball of the season.
Tampa fought back in the middle innings, as Josh Lowe singled in the top of the fifth to score Randy Arozarena, before Arozarena singled in Richie Palacios to tie the game at two in the top of the sixth.
✔️ Randy Rips ✔️Richie Runs ✔️ Tied at 2
Toronto hasn’t had many clutch innings this season, but that changed in the bottom of the eighth in a 2-2 game. George Springer walked and stole second, before an intentional walk to Guerrero Jr. This gave Justin Turner an opportunity to give the Jays the lead, and he did just that with a two-out single that put the Jays up one.
UPDATE: Runs were scored
The scoring continued though, as Daulton Varsho hit a single to score the game-winning run, before a passed ball and a fielding error put two more runs on the board for the Jays. Tampa would get one back in the top of the ninth, but Yimi García was able to close it out for the win.
Things worth mentioning…
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit five home runs in his past six games. This season, he’s slashing .296/.367/.488 with 18 home runs in 436 plate appearances, and he’s starting to look like his 2021-self since the beginning of May. Pay. Him.
Yariel Rodríguez had the start, finishing with a line of 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K to bring his season ERA to 3.69. He was just one out away from his third quality start in his last four games. What a great signing.
Yariel Rodriguez, Filthy 86mph Slider. 😷
For the second consecutive game, Justin Turner had a three-hit performance (without a home run this time). For the season, he’s slashing .242/.338/.358 with six homers in 331 plate appearances.
Spencer Horwitz got back on track, as he hit a double and a single in a multi-hit game. Guerrero Jr. also had a two-hit game, while Varsho had a single.
The bullpen was solid once again, pitching three and a third innings with five strikeouts, three walks, and giving up an earned run. Génesis Cabrera had the best outing, striking out two while walking a batter.
Yimi García may well have pitched for the final time as a Blue Jay, finishing with a line of 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K to bring his season ERA to 2.70. He’ll be a highly sought after reliever at the trade deadline.
Up next: Toronto plays the rubber match on Thursday at 3:07 PM ET. Chris Bassitt has the start for the Jays, and he’ll be opposed by Taj Bradley.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.