(Toronto) While he had the golden sombrero in the mirrors, Toronto Blue Jays power hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returned to his usual form on Friday.
Guerrero hit a solo homer and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-1 at Rogers Centre.
Guerrero, who hit three long shots in Wednesday’s game against the New York Yankees, also had a single and a walk after a rare four-fault night the night before.
“He’s definitely a force,” said athletics manager Mark Kotsay. He showed it in his appearances on the plate tonight, throughout the game. He is a dynamic player. »
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Raimel Tapia and Zack Collins got two safe balls for the Blue Jays (5-3), who won the first game of this series of three against Atletismo.
Guerrero, who leads the Majors with five homers this season, opened the scoring in the first round, catapulting an offer from starter Daulton Jefferies (0-1) over the fence.
Stopper Jordan Romano closed the books in the ninth inning to record a fifth defense on so many occasions.
Tapia gave Toronto a 2-0 lead in the second round as he moved past first base to cross home plate with a Santiago Espinal double.
Blue Jays starter Ross Stripling knocked out the top seven Athletics batters in order before allowing a double to Kevin Smith. He didn’t give up races in four innings.
Pitcher Chad Pinder made the only Athletics run in the game, in the sixth inning.
Tim Mayza allowed two singles before being replaced by Adam Cimber (3-0) after one elimination. Pinder greeted him with a single that pushed Tony Kemp to the plate.
Pinder stole second base to get two runners into scoring position, but Cimber forced Seth Brown out quickly.
The Blue Jays added an insurance run at the bottom of the sixth inning. Espinal was intentionally defeated before Collins hit a productive single.
Gurriel, who came in to score on Collins’ single, sent George Springer home with a single. Springer started the seventh inning with a double.
Stripling gave up two shots. The right-hander, whose pitch count was monitored, made 62 pitches, 40 of which were catches.
“He did what we needed to,” said Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo. We needed at least four starters and that’s what he gave. We were ahead when he left the mound. It’s a very good job on his part. »
Jefferies allowed two runs won, seven hits and a walk in four and a third entry into the mound.
