Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Blasts Three Home Runs to Lead Blue Jays Past Yankees, 6-4

Photo Courtesy of Sports Illustrated

Nothing and no one not even an injury was stopping Vladimir Guerrero Jr. last night as he blasted three home runs in the Toronto Blue Jays', 6-4, victory over the New York Yankees.

After Guerrero Jr. went 0 for 4 on Tuesday night in the Bronx, this night was different. On Wednesday, Guerrero Jr.'s bat was on fire from the start. In the first inning, Guerrero Jr. hit a monstrous home run to dead center-field off of Yankees' ace Gerrit Cole. That home run, which just sailed over the wall, gave the Blue Jays an early lead, 1-0.

It seemed like all was well for Vladdy until the second inning. Not even an inning after his monstrous home run, Vladdy was injured. As Yankees' Aaron Hicks was running out an infield hit, Guerrero Jr. was preparing for a wide throw from shortstop Bo Bichette, who slid on the right-field grass to secure the ball. As Bichette threw the ball to Guerrero Jr., he placed his right hand on the ground to catch his balance. As Guerrero Jr.'s hand was on the ground, Hicks ran atop it. In the course of this quick play, Guerrero Jr.'s right hand was bloodied.

Moments after the injury play stopped, while Guerrero Jr. left the field for a couple of minutes as the Blue Jays' trainers took care of the wound. Even injured, Guerrero Jr. knew what he wanted to do.

"I didn't want to come out of the game," Guerrero Jr. told MLB.com. "I already had in my mind that I wasn't going to come out of the game, no matter what. I told Charlie, I'm not coming out of the game."

After feeling some initial pain, Guerrero Jr. shook it off and returned to the game with a wound wrap on his right hand. To better grasp the severity of Guerrero Jr.'s injury, we learned after the game that his finger needed two stitches. Even with a bloodied finger, Guerrero Jr.'s bat still went off.

In his three at-bats since being injured, Guerrero Jr. hit a home run off Cole again in the third, then doubled off Cole again in the sixth. Even when Cole was taken out of the game, Guerrero Jr. could not be stopped. In the eighth inning, with the Blue Jays leading the Yankees, 4-3, Guerrero Jr. hit a rocket that sailed over the left-field wall and landed in the second deck.

Guerrero Jr.'s dominant performance was a team effort. According to MLB.com, Blue Jays' manager Charlie Montoyo said, "There was a lot of blood, but I wanted to let the trainers work and see they could do it they stopped the bleeding. They did. They deserve a lot of credit. We don't talk about trainers. Besides Vladdy, the trainers were the MVPs today."

In this game, Guerrero Jr. went 4 for 4 and crushed three home runs. With this explosive offensive performance, Guerrero Jr. became the leader in the MLB with 4 home runs this season. Guerrero Jr., who is predicted by many to compete for the AL MVP this season, has hit three home runs in a game before. Guerrero Jr.'s first three home run game came nearly a year ago on April 27, 2021, against the Washington Nationals.

Guerrero Jr. is considered by many to be one of the stars of baseball. Fans and ballplayers have been admiring Guerrero Jr.'s game for years. On Wednesday night, in the Big Apple, Yankees players even shared their admiration for Guerrero Jr.'s dominant performance.

Per MLB.com Gerritt Cole said, "I mean. Did you see the night? If you had a cap, you'd tip it too. I mean, it got better after that, too. My goodness."

In addition to Cole, Yankee Aaron Judge felt similar.

Per MLB.com Aaron Judge said, "I wish it was against somebody else and I could watch it on TV and didn't see it live. That's the type of player he is. He can take over a game. It was three impressive swings. I was even more impressed too with two strikes, shooting a double down the right-field line. The guy's a game-changer and he's going to be a tough opponent all year."

Guerrero Jr. is a key member of this Blue Jays team that many predict to give the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees trouble in the American League East. With the season just starting, Guerrero Jr. is off to a fast start. If Gurrero Jr, who shined in the Big Apple on Wednesday night, continues to excel offensively then he is a force to be reckoned with.

Dance the Night Away, Vladdy