Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Gets Standing O in First MLB At-Bat, Sparks Walk-Off Win With Double
Blue Jays rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled for his first big-league hit in the ninth inning of his MLB debut on Friday. The Blue Jays lifted Guerrero Jr. for a pinch-runner, Alan Hansen, who scored the game-winning run on Brandon Drury's walk-off home run in their 4-2 win over the Athletics.
Guerrero went 1-for-4 on the night. Walking up to the sound of the rousing hometown fans and "Old Town Road, the No. 1 prospect in baseball grounded out in his first-career at bat on Friday, but got a standing ovation anyway as he jogged back to the dugout. He flied out to deep leftfield and centerfield in his next two at-bats before his leadoff double in the ninth.
The 20-year-old third baseman dominated in his eight minor league games this year, batting .367 average with three homers. Toronto announced it was calling up Guerrero on Wednesday.
Guerrero Jr.'s father Vladimir Guerrero was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 2018. He was a nine-time All-Star in 16 seasons, spending the first eight years of his career in Canada with the now-defunct Montreal Expos. Guerrero retired in 2011 with 477 homers and a .318 career average.
The Blue Jays entered Friday night third in the AL East at 11–14.
