Jul 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) bats in opposition to the Chicago White Sox in the course of the eight inning at Price Area. Obligatory Credit score: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Pictures Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is in his seventh huge league season however nonetheless solely 26.
He is additionally the latest member of the Blue Jays’ 1,000-hit membership, and he’ll look so as to add a couple of extra to the full when Toronto visits the Athletics on Saturday evening within the center contest of a three-game sequence at West Sacramento, Calif.
Guerrero is simply the tenth participant to achieve 1,000 for the Blue Jays. He acquired there with a single within the fifth inning of Friday’s 7-6 victory and added one other hit later within the contest.
“It means rather a lot,” Guerrero mentioned in a postgame interview with Sportsnet. “It is a blessing. I’ve to thank God for serving to me get to 1,000 hits.”
The late Tony Fernandez is Toronto’s all-time chief with 1,583 hits. Barring harm or a commerce, Guerrero ought to surpass Fernandez later this decade.
Guerrero’s extra speedy focus in on serving to the Blue Jays proceed their robust play. Toronto has gained 11 of 12 video games and holds a two-game lead over the New York Yankees within the American League East.
In the meantime, the Athletics scored thrice within the ninth on Friday to provide Toronto a scare. However Nick Kurtz struck out in opposition to Jeff Hoffman to finish it.
Earlier this season, Kurtz delivered two walk-off homers throughout a four-game sequence in opposition to the Houston Astros.
“The child cannot come via each time,” Athletics supervisor Mark Kotsay mentioned. “The combat is there by the membership and confirmed it by getting him as much as the plate within the ninth inning because the profitable run.”
The A’s unraveled earlier within the sport. Toronto’s six-run fifth inning was helped by second baseman Zack Gelof’s throwing error and the membership’s failure to execute throughout a Blue Jays double-steal try.
George Springer was on third when Guerrero took off for second. Catcher Shea Langeliers threw to second and shortstop Max Muncy caught the ball in entrance of the bag and threw residence. Muncy one-hopped the throw and Langeliers wasn’t in a position to glove it as Springer scored.
“If we play catch, Springer is out by 30 toes,” Kotsay mentioned. “That is the inning the place the sport acquired away from us. It appears to be once we make a mistake, it’s compounded by a few hits and the inning retains going.”
The A’s hope to have All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson again on Saturday. He was hit by a pitch on his left hand on Tuesday and has missed the previous three video games.
The Blue Jays will ship right-hander Kevin Gausman (6-6, 4.13 ERA) to the mound on Saturday.
Gausman, 34, has only one victory in his previous seven begins. That triumph got here when he blanked the Cleveland Guardians on two hits over eight innings in a 6-0 win on June 26.
Gausman wasn’t concerned within the determination when he began Toronto’s 8-4 victory over the Athletics on June 1.
He’s 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA in seven profession begins in opposition to the Athletics.
Left-hander Jacob Lopez (2-5, 4.26) will begin for the A’s.
Lopez was pounded whereas lasting simply 1 2/3 innings in opposition to the Blue Jays in Toronto on Could 29. He allowed seven runs and 6 hits within the 12-0 loss, serving up a three-run homer to Ernie Clement and a two-run shot to Guerrero.
Lopez is 1-1 with a 15.43 ERA in two profession begins in opposition to the Blue Jays.
–Area Degree Media
