TORONTO – Vladimir Guerrero extended his career hitting streak to 21 games with two singles, but it was his running catch in foul territory that had his teammates buzzing after the Toronto Blue Jays won Friday.
The Blue Jays (54-62) won the first game of their series against the Oakland Athletics (48-69), 3-1, behind a performance from Guerrero and eight strikeouts from Jose Berrios (10-9).
With the score tied in the sixth, the Athletics had runners on first and third with two outs. Guerrero chased the out to third and crashed into the net and the first row of seats after catching a foul pop-up from Shea Langeliers.
“I told him it was some kind of fake dive,” said George Springer, who started the Blue Jays’ first inning with a solo home run to left field, his 12th.
Guerrero wasn’t done. In the bottom of the sixth, he hit a second sharp single with one out. He then advanced to third on a throwing error by Athletics shortstop Max Schumann and scored on a groundout by Alejandro Kirk to third base.
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“It’s like watching my two kids play PlayStation,” Berrios said of Guerrero’s recent play.
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The Blue Jays’ standout first baseman hit sharp singles in the first and sixth innings to go 2-for-4.
His stats were a .506 average (39-of-77) with 11 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, and 22 RBI.
“The play he made to end the sixth is somewhat overlooked,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “It’s a pretty good play, and it saves Jose.”
Guerrero almost made another catch in foul territory in the bottom of the fifth but missed the sliding catch. He then smiled and pointed to Springer behind him in right field, joking that Springer should have been there.
“I told him he was the one who put gold on the glove,” Springer said, referring to Guerrero’s 2022 Gold Glove win.
The Athletics entered the game with an 11-7 record after the All-Star break, but were no match for Berrios.
He pitched seven innings, holding the Athletics to just one run on six hits and one walk, with an effective curveball.
Veterans Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman got off to strong starts earlier this week, while Berrios also had a strong showing against 39,894 at Rogers Centre.
“He had outstanding pitching ability, especially on the curve,” he said.
Toronto’s rookie shortstop Leo Jimenez also made a memorable diving snab on a line drive off the bat of Langeliers that did the same damage as Guerrero’s catch.
The two teams traded solo home runs early.
Springer hit a .421 RBI into the bottom of the first with a runner on second base in left field.
Dalton Bashō hit a sharp single to right field, but was put out trying to go from first to third when he hit a single to center field off Guerrero.
In the third inning, Oakland rookie third baseman Darrell Hernais hit his first home run in his 77th at-bat. His solo home run sailed over the left field fence to tie the game.
Athletics starter Mitch Spence (7-8) allowed two runs while striking out two over 5 2/3 innings.
Spencer Horwitz capped the scoring in the bottom of the eighth with a thunderous solo home run to third base in right field.
Relief pitcher Chad Green pitched a clean ninth inning to earn his 11th save.
Chasing Ricky
Springer’s leadoff home run was the 58th of his career. Only 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 of a three-game set against Oakland on Saturday. The Athletics will counter with right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-3).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 9, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
