Vladimir Guerrero Jr. downplayed any sense of urgency or pressure to hit his first home run at Rogers Centre this season as he arrived at the ballpark in recent weeks. However, the Toronto Blue Jays’ struggling power hitter achieved this milestone on Sunday by launching a home run down the left-field line into the team’s bullpen during their 8-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles (72-78). Guerrero expressed confidence in the inevitability of the moment, stating that he never felt compelled to hit a home run on any particular day.
Guerrero had an impressive performance, collecting four hits that included two singles and a double in the third inning that narrowly missed being a home run. His home run was part of a trio of consecutive long balls by the Blue Jays off Baltimore’s left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers (10-10). The sequence started with George Springer’s home run to right field, followed by Guerrero’s much-anticipated blast, and concluded with Kazuma Okamoto’s towering 410-foot shot to the left-field second deck.
This marked the seventh time in the club’s history that the Blue Jays hit three consecutive home runs, with the last occurrence dating back to June 19, 2012. The electrifying moment led to a jubilant reaction from the 41,805 fans at Rogers Centre and Guerrero’s teammates, who enthusiastically celebrated with him.
Guerrero acknowledged the support from his teammates and the crowd, emphasizing the significance of the moment. He took a leisurely pace rounding the bases, executing his signature celebratory gestures along the way. The crowd’s chants of “Vla-ddy, Vla-ddy” prompted Guerrero to acknowledge the curtain call with gratitude.
Toronto manager John Schneider commended Guerrero’s achievement and the impact it had on the game and the fans. Guerrero, reflecting on the game, highlighted the importance of team success over individual accomplishments.
In addition to Guerrero’s milestone, George Springer’s impactful performance with four RBIs and Kazuma Okamoto setting a rookie club record with his 85th RBI contributed to the Blue Jays’ victory. Despite the offensive highlights, the Blue Jays (75-75) remain in contention for the final AL wild-card spot, trailing the Cleveland Guardians by just one game.
