(New York) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a double run in the ninth inning and propelled the Toronto Blue Jays to a 2-1 win over the New York Mets on Saturday.
Guerrero’s key hit came three shots after Blue Jays manager John Schneider was ejected for criticizing the umpire’s strike zone behind home plate Charlie Ramos. The latter declared the first shot towards Guerrero a hold, as he looked low. Schneider yelled at Ramos from the dugout and was sent off before he went to home plate to continue to deliver his thoughts.
“I just wanted to let her smell my breath,” Schneider said with a mocking smile.
With Cavan Biggio – who is averaging .181 – in the waiting circle and the first available base, Mets manager Buck Showalter decided to let ace reliever David Robertson (2-1) take on Guerrero. Robertson ended up with a 1-2 count.
“Robbie took the lead and thought he could stretch the strike zone a bit,” Showalter said. The margin for error was slim. »
The Blue Jays star went there with a swing reminiscent of his father, hitting a ball very low and inside along the left field line.
“He was like his senior,” Schneider acknowledged.
George Springer, who had singled and stolen second base, took the opportunity to cross home plate.
Guerrero, who is averaging .285 with eight homers and 36 RBI this season, after averaging .292 with 80 home runs and 208 RBI the previous two seasons, waved his fist and gave himself two blows against the chest when reaching the second cushion.
“He’s working hard and he’s been able to take good swings and hit the ball hard,” Schneider said. If the result is disregarded, I think the fact that he made that hit at such an important time will have positive repercussions. »
Alejandro Kirk drove in the Blue Jays’ other run on a sixth-inning single.
The win went to Nate Pearson (2-0), who shut out the Mets in the eighth. Erik Swanson allowed a hit, but closed the books in ninth to be credited with a first save.
Daniel Vogelbach hit a one-run double in the second for the Mets.
Prior to the game, the Blue Jays placed right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt on the paternity leave list.
In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays recalled right-handed pitcher Jay Jackson from their Buffalo farmhouse at the AAA level.
On Friday night, Bassitt held off hitters from the New York Mets, his former team. En route to a 3-0 victory, Bassitt held his rivals to three hits and no walks while recording eight strikeouts in seven and two-thirds innings.
Afterwards, he boarded a private plane to find his wife, Jessica, who was to give birth to their second child.