Cardinals play spoiler for Blue Jays’ showcase in Montreal
MONTREAL (CP) — Few fans at Olympic Stadium were as concerned that the Toronto Blue Jays lost a pre-season game as they were thrilled to have a chance to cheer for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The son of the former Montreal Expos great was given a standing ovation when he entered the Blue Jays’ 5-3 pre-season loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning on Monday night.
The 19-year-old Vlad Jr., went 0-for-2 at the plate, although a roar went up when he hit a ball hard to left in the ninth that was caught.
Guerrero’s father was a fearsome hitter and a spectacular right fielder for the Expos, leaving two years before the club moved to Washington, D.C. He is headed to the baseball Hall of Fame this summer.
Vlad Jr., spent the first few years of his life in Montreal but is now one of the top prospects in the Blue Jays’ organization.
Toronto catcher Russell Martin, the Montreal product who got his own ovation, was happy for Guerrero.
“He kind of grew up in the city a bit watching his dad play and then coming back, wearing the number his dad wore, I’m sure it was a special moment for him,” said Martin. “It looked like the fans really appreciated it.
“They loved his dad here. The apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree. I think we’re going to have a good one here.”
Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman faced 12 batters through four innings but conceded two runs in 2/3 of an inning in the fifth.
A crowd of 25,335 turned out at Olympic Stadium for the first of a two-game set to close out the pre-season, with the second meeting set for tonight. On Thursday, Toronto hosts the New York Yankees to open the season.