Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered and drove in three runs, including an RBI in Toronto’s go-ahead, three-run rally in the eighth inning, and the visiting Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Tuesday.
Guerrero finished 3-for-5 and hit his eighth homer, his first since his three-homer game against the Washington Nationals on April 27. He tied the game in the eighth with a bases-loaded single against reliever A.J. Minter (1-1).
Speedy Jonathan Davis led off the Toronto eighth with a double over the head of right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Marcus Semien hit a one-hopper to Minter, whose throw failed to nab Davis going back to second, leaving runners at first and second. After Bo Bichette singled to load the bases, Guerrero singled to left to tie the game.
Teoscar Hernandez got the go-ahead run home on an infield single against Jacob Webb, a nubber that was fielded and held by first baseman Freddie Freeman. Cavan Biggio drew a bases-loaded walk to force home another run.
Toronto improved to 4-0 against Atlanta this season by winning the opener of a three-game series.
The winning pitcher was Trent Thornton (1-0), who pitched a scoreless seventh. Tyler Chatwood fanned two in a scoreless eighth, and Jordan Romano worked around a hit and a walk in the ninth to earn his first save.
Atlanta starter Bryse Wilson pitched six innings and allowed two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
Toronto’s Robbie Ray worked six innings and allowed three runs on five hits and one walk. He struck out a season-high 10.
The Braves scored their league-leading 32nd first-inning run when Acuna singled, took second when Freeman walked and scored on Ozzie Albies’ one-out single to left.
Acuna connected for a solo homer, his 10th, in the third inning to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. It was his first home run since May 4.
The Blue Jays tied it in the sixth inning when Guerrero hit a two-run, opposite-field homer to right.
Atlanta regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth on Marcell Ozuna’s fifth home run, a solo shot to left field.
–Field Level Media