Vladimir Guerrero Jr. approached the plate looking for a pitch in the zone that he could drive. He got a tall slider and parked it on a party deck.
Guerrero hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Tuesday night.
«Especially at the end of the game, I mentally prepare myself even more in case a big moment like tonight happens,» Guerrero said. «That’s what I do.»
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays watches his two-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Guerrero singled and scored in a two-run quarter. But his greatest success came just in time for the Blue Jays.
He gave Toronto a 4-3 lead when he connected against Joe Kelly (1-4) after Brandon Belt led off the eighth with a walk. The three-time All-Star went the other way on a 2-1 pitch, driving it to right for his 13th home run.
«That’s part of his game, for sure,» manager John Schneider said. «I’ve always said he’s a good hitter before he’s a good power hitter. But if he’s getting pitches where he can hurt, he will.»
All-Star Whit Merrifield had two hits and two RBIs as the Blue Jays came back to win after a three-game sweep of Boston.
White Sox All-Star Luis Robert Jr. made it 3-2 in the sixth with a long three-run drive off Chris Bassitt for his 25th home run. But Chicago lost again after losing two of three to Oakland.
Bassitt pitched six innings, allowing three runs and six hits.
DESPITE TWO-HIT GAME, RED SOX OUTFIDER JARREN DURAN’S INCREDIBLE HITTING STREAK COMES TO AN END
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt throws to a Chicago White Sox batter during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Nate Pearson (5-1) worked the seventh. Erik Swanson fended off Tim Anderson’s 3-pointer in the eighth.
Jordan Romano pitched the ninth inning for his 25th save in 28 chances, and the Blue Jays earned a tight victory after defeating Chicago 20-2 in a three-game sweep in Toronto in April.
Toronto took a 2-0 lead on Merrifield’s two-run, bases-loaded double in the fourth against Lucas Giolito.
ROBERT CONNECTS
Bassitt drove through the first five innings before the White Sox caught up with him for three runs in the sixth. He allowed back-to-back singles to Andrew Benintendi and Tim Anderson with one out in the sixth. Robert then put Chicago on top 3-2 when he drove an 0-1 pitch near the middle of the left-field seats for his 25th home run.
«If you drop strikes, the balls will go a long way,» coach Pedro Grifol said. «And he’s hitting strikes. He’s having really good at-bats, taking really good pitches. That’s just him. This isn’t like, oh, he’s on a roll, that’s right.»
YANKEES’ AARON JUDGE RECORDS THAT OFF-SEASON SURGERY IS UNDER CONSIDERATION TO REPAIR INJURED FINGER
Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox hits a three-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
TAIL BACK
Top prospect Oscar Colás bunted a single after being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte. The 24-year-old Cuban made the opening day roster, only to be ousted after struggling.
COACHES ROOM
Blue Jays: RF George Springer jolted chasing down a Jake Burger foul when the ball bounced off the screen and hit him on the cheek, though he remained in the game. … RHP Chad Green threw 30 pitches in live batting practice Tuesday. … The Blue Jays hope to have RHP Adam Cimber (right shoulder impingement) throwing off the mound in the next few days, Schneider said.
White Sox: White Sox RHP Michael Kopech (right shoulder inflammation) remains on track to return shortly after the All-Star break, general manager Rick Hahn said. The team planned to give him extra rest, but decided to put him on the 15-day disabled list after a loss to the Los Angeles Angels last week. «It was pretty clear that the shoulder fatigue that he was feeling was affecting his pitching and obviously the command that night,» Hahn said. … 3B Yoán Moncada (lower back inflammation) will continue to increase his activity in hopes of being ready for a rehab assignment after the All-Star break, Hahn said. … The White Sox hope to have closer Liam Hendriks (right elbow inflammation) pitching by the weekend. … Hahn said RHP Mike Clevinger (right biceps inflammation) is expected to have a secondary session on Saturday. Assuming there are no hiccups, he is expected to return shortly after the break.
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Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right, celebrates in the dugout after scoring against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Toronto RHP José Berríos (8-6, 3.74) looks to continue his dominance over Chicago, while RHP Lance Lynn (5-8, 6.47) receives the ball for the White Sox. Berríos is 13-6 with a 3.26 ERA in 23 starts against the White Sox and pitched seven scoreless innings in a home win on April 25.