Guerrero golf shot sparks big win over Mariners
The 79-m.p.h. changeup from the Mariners’ Wade LeBlanc was almost at Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s shoelaces when the Blue Jay put a swing on a pitch he had no business trying to hit.
Guerrero, the son of a freeswinging hall of famer, launched a 397-foot home run to left field — a two-run shot in the third inning, on the way to a 7-3 victory over Seattle at the Rogers Centre.
“I knew when I hit that ball that the pitch was down, but when I saw (the replay) in the video room, I don’t even know how I hit that ball,” he said.
“So I guess I looked like my dad.”
The fan who caught the ball — which left Guerrero’s bat at 102.7 miles per hour — in an outstretched cap was also destined for the highlight reel after chugging a can of beer in celebration.
It was the second of four homers on the night by the Jays. Derek Fisher’s two-run blast gave Toronto a 3-2 lead in second inning. In the third, Randal Grichuk followed Guerrero with a solo shot — the 12th time Jays hitters have gone back-to-back this season, a franchise record. Catcher Danny Jansen added a solo homer in the seventh.
Guerrero’s wild swing may have been reminiscent of Vlad Sr., but Junior is generally considered a more patient and disciplined hitter. At the same point in their respective careers, after 92 games, the younger Guerrero now has 14 home runs and 54 RBIs, while his dad homered 12 times and drove in 41 runs in that span — over the 1996 and 1997 seasons.
On the mound: Jays starter Jacob Waguespack needed 102 pitches to work 52⁄ innings. He 3 allowed five hits, including a two-run single by former Jays minor leaguer Tim Lopes on five hits … Ken Giles, working his way back from right elbow inflammation, pitched the ninth for the second time in four days and retired all three Mariners, two by strikeout.
No for Bo: Shortstop Bo Bichette’s career-opening on-base streak came to an end at 17 games with a 0-for-4 night that included two strikeouts. The streak tied former Los Angeles Dodger Bill Russell (1969) for the second-longest in MLB history. Rocco Baldelli, now the Minnesota Twins’ manager, reached base in 24 straight games to begin his career with Tampa Bay in 2003.
Yes to Beau: The Jays claimed catcher Beau Taylor off waivers from the Oakland Athletics and optioned the 29-year-old to Triple-A Buffalo. Taylor, who was designated for assignment on Wednesday, will serve as backup down the stretch in case of an injury to Jansen or Reese McGuire. Luke Maile, on the injured list since late July with a left oblique strain, is still a ways away from returning, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. Taylor, who bats left, has spent nine seasons in the minors and played nine big-league games with the A’s this season, going 4-for-22 with two solo home runs.
Up next: The Mariners had yet to announce a starter for Saturday’s game against Trent Thornton (4-8, 5.34) and the Jays, starting at 3:07 p.m. Toronto will go back to a four-man rotation starting Sunday, with Wilmer Font opening ahead of Thomas Pannone (3-5, 6.39) in the series finale.