NEW YORK – By now, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s stance on the New York Yankees is clear.
He has no intention of signing with them, “not even dead.” It’s a position he’ll “never” change and prefers not to discuss further. The Toronto Blue Jays know it, the Yankees know it and – it’s now clear from all the boos in the Bronx this weekend – so do their fans.
But Yankee Stadium’s another matter altogether. As long as he’s a visitor, Guerrero Jr. certainly seems to enjoy playing here, and Kevin Gausman can be thankful for that. As Sunday’s series finale unfolded and the game stayed scoreless, it became apparent one big swing could be enough to decide the game.
In the sixth inning, Guerrero Jr. provided it. Facing a locked-in Clarke Schmidt with one on, the first baseman connected for his fifth home run of the season to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead. Daulton Varsho followed with a homer of his own, and just like that the Blue Jays were on their way to a 5-1 win against last year’s AL East winners.
“You know, he says he doesn’t like coming here, but he plays pretty well here,” Gausman said afterwards. “Any time he comes up to bat, we’re all paying attention because he hits the ball so hard. You don’t know what you’re going to see.”
When he’s at the plate, Guerrero Jr. says he can lock in on the opposing pitcher and tune out any boos. But when he’s rounding the bases, he’s well aware of how New York fans feel.
“I mean, of course you hear it, but they’re not going to take the home run away from me,” he said through interpreter Hector Lebron. “I’m just going to continue to run the bases and enjoy it.”
“As Reggie Jackson said, they don’t boo nobodies,” manager John Schneider added. “So I think Vladdy worked off of that a little bit. We all know the kind of hitter that he is. Big series from him.”
With two home runs this weekend, Guerrero Jr. was central to the Blue Jays’ series win, one that gives them a 3-3 record on a road trip through Houston and New York. Varsho deserves credit, too, of course, along with relievers Erik Swanson and Adam Cimber, who finished out the win while limiting the damage to a ninth-inning solo homer from Anthony Rizzo.
But it was perhaps Gausman who stood out most on Sunday. Facing the Yankees for the first time this season, he used his splitter to great effect, generating 11 swinging strikes with that pitch alone on his way to 11 strikeouts to tie his season high. He allowed just three hits – a double and two singles – while pitching seven scoreless innings and issuing zero walks.
With those results in mind, it was a little surprising to hear Gausman describe his start as “a grind” in which he wasn’t necessarily hitting his spots.
“I mean, obviously I’m happy with the outcome of the game and that we won most importantly,” he said. “But yeah, I wouldn’t say I was as sharp as I have been in other games this year. But it worked out.”
Gausman’s fastball averaged just 92.2 m.p.h. compared to his season average of 93.5 m.p.h., but he still used it effectively. There were certainly no complaints from his coaches and teammates afterwards.
“He was really good, obviously,” said Schneider. “Just a really efficient Kevin Gausman type outing.”
“This one was excellent,” added Guerrero Jr.
Against the top of the Yankees’ order, Gausman was especially effective. Anthony Volpe, Aaron Judge and Rizzo, went hitless in nine combined at-bats against the right-hander with six strikeouts. Standing in against Gausman for the first time ever, the rookie Volpe struck out in each of his three at bats.
“He’s obviously a great player,” said Gausman, who watched closely as Alek Manoah attacked Volpe with fastballs Saturday. “Looking forward to lots of battles between us.”
Meanwhile, Santiago Espinal avoided a more serious injury after taking a 98 m.p.h. Gerrit Cole fastball off of his wrist Saturday afternoon. X-rays were negative, but further tests are slated for Monday in Toronto. In the meantime, Whit Merrifield got the start at second, contributing a walk and a double from the seven spot.
From here, the 13-9 Blue Jays fly back to Toronto where they’ll host the Chicago White Sox for three games. Former manager Charlie Montoyo will be there (he’s not expected to hold court with the media) but otherwise this is a beatable White Sox team that’s 7-15 after losing to the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays Sunday.
Having held their own against the Astros and Yankees on the road, the Blue Jays now have a chance to return home and start gaining ground in the standings.
“Just keep plodding along and winning series,” Schneider said. “But it’s always interesting.”
Especially when Guerrero Jr. plays his least favourite team.
