Instant Reaction: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 21st home run in a 8-4 victory over the Orioles

In the top of the second, Steward Berroa hit a single for his first career RBI, followed by a Spencer Horwitz ground ball RBI to give the Jays a 3-1 lead. Once again, the Orioles would match the Jays in the bottom half of the inning, as Jordan Westburgh hit a two-run home run, his 18th of the season.

Thankfully, the Blue Jays got some separation in the top of the fourth, as Guerrero Jr. hit a double, his 24th of the season, to make it 4-3. The next batter up, Davis Schneider, hit a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3. Toronto extended their lead in the top of the fifth thanks to a George Springer single. Springer reached base four times, as he also walked thrice.

Baltimore got a run back in the bottom of the seventh, as Cowser drove in his second run of the game thanks to a single. But the player of the game, Guerrero Jr., hit his 21st home run of the season and his second of the day to restore Toronto’s three-run lead. Guerrero Jr. would hit another double in the top of the ninth to score another run, making it 8-4.

Things worth mentioning…

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is on fire. The only time I can remember him doing anything like this was back at the start of the 2021 season, and realistically, he’s been better than that stretch. After today’s two games, Guerrero Jr. is slashing .311/.381/.524 with 21 home runs in 464 plate appearances for a 155 wRC+. That is just 11 back from his 2021 total.

Bowden Francis was an out away from his first career quality start, but his night ended with a line of 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K with two home runs given up to move his season ERA to 5.68. After giving up the two home runs in the first two innings, he settled into a nice groove.

Ernie Clement torched a left-handed pitcher, nothing new here. He finished with three hits in the game, his 15th double and two additional singles. He’s a good bench piece for the Blue Jays moving forward.

Kevin Kiermaier may have played his last game for the Jays on Monday, and it was a great one. He finished with a single and his seventh double of the season, scoring Toronto’s first run of the game. Whatever happens on Tuesday’s trade deadline, nothing but the best for Kiermaier moving forward.

Steward Berroa had an eventful game. In the second inning, he hit a single that was his first big league RBI. On the bases, he left way too early, but an errant throw allowed him to reach third base. In the field, he made a pretty nice catch to rob a hit. This is the Stewy B experience.

Up next: The Blue Jays play the second of four games against the Orioles on Tuesday at 6:35 PM ET. However, it’ll be a busy day thanks to the trade deadline, and who knows what the roster will look like after the 6:00 PM deadline.