Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been one of the best hitters in baseball this season, but his hunt for 200 hits came up just short on Sunday afternoon.
After going 2-for-5 on Friday, Guerrero has two games to record the milestone knock but went 0-for-4 on Saturday and 0-for-2 with two walks on Sunday.
After working a full count in the eighth inning against Miami Marlins reliever Lake Bachar, the 25-year-old took a low-and-away fastball, earning a free pass to first base and ending his 2024 campaign.
Manager John Schneider subbed in Nathan Lukes to pinch run for Guerrero, who exited to a standing ovation from the Rogers Centre faithful.
In his first trip to the plate, Guerrero worked a five-pitch walk before grounding out to short in his second and striking out in his third.
The Blue Jays moved the four-time All-Star to the leadoff spot for Sunday’s contest in hopes of getting Guerrero to the plate as many times as possible to get to hit No. 200.
Guerrero would have been the first Blue Jays player to reach 200 hits since Vernon Wells collected a team-record 215 in 2003. Other Blue Jays to cross the 200-hit mark are Tony Fernandez (213, 1986), Paul Molitor (211, 1993), Shannon Stewart (202, 2001) and John Olerud (200, 1993).
Only Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals and Luis Arraez currently have more hits than Guerrero this season.
