TORONTO — A golden sombrero firmly in the rear-view mirror, Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., was back to his old self Friday.
He hit a solo homer for a lead Toronto wouldn't relinquish in a 4-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre. Starter Ross Stripling threw four shutout innings and closer Jordan Romano earned his fifth save in the opener of a three-game series.
Guerrero, who had a three-homer game in New York on Wednesday, also singled and walked in a nice bounce-back effort from a rare four-strikeout game a night earlier.
"He’s definitely a force," said Athletics manager Mark Kotsay. "He showed that tonight in his first at-bat, and all night. He’s a dynamic player."
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Raimel Tapia and Zack Collins also had two hits apiece for the Blue Jays (5-3).
Guerrero, who leads the major leagues with five homers this season, opened the scoring in the first inning by belting a 2-2 pitch from Oakland starter Daulton Jefferies (0-1). The opposite-field shot travelled 428 feet.
Stripling retired the first seven Athletics in order before giving up a double to Kevin Smith. A groundout and lineout left him stranded.
Oakland pinch-hitter Chad Pinder drove in the Athletics' only run in the sixth inning to cut Toronto's lead to 2-1.
Tim Mayza gave up a pair of singles before being replaced by Adam Cimber (3-0) with one out. Pinder greeted the sidearmer with a single that scored Tony Kemp.
Pinder later stole second to put two runners in scoring position but Cimber got Seth Brown on a pop-up to end the threat.
The Blue Jays tacked on an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame. Santiago Espinal was intentionally walked ahead of Collins, who singled to plate Gurriel from third.
Gurriel was at it again in the seventh when he drove in George Springer, who led off the inning with a double.
Stripling allowed two hits, had three strikeouts and didn't walk a batter. The right-hander, who was on a pitch count, threw 40 of his 62 pitches for strikes.
"He did what we needed," said Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo. "We needed at least four innings and he gave us exactly that. We were winning when he left the game. Great job by him."
Jefferies, meanwhile, gave up two earned runs for Oakland (4-4). He allowed seven hits and a walk while striking out two over 4 1/3 innings.
Toronto out-hit Oakland 11-6. Announced attendance was 35,415 and the game took three hours to play.
FAMILIAR FACE
Toronto third baseman Matt Chapman went 0-for-2 with two walks in his first game against the Athletics since the Blue Jays acquired him from Oakland last month.
Chapman played 573 games for Oakland over five seasons.
BUILDING UP
Toronto right-hander Nate Pearson is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday as he tries to build up again after a bout of mononucleosis. He threw from 90 feet on Wednesday.
Live batting practice would be the next step if Pearson continues to progress, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said before the game.
ROSTER MOVES
The Athletics placed outfielder Stephen Piscotty on the COVID-19 injured list Friday while catcher Austin Allen and left-handers A.J. Puk and Kirby Snead were added to the restricted list.
Catcher Christian Bethancourt, infielder Drew Jackson and pitchers Zach Logue and Ryan Castellani were named as replacements on the active roster.
HALL DISPLAY
As part of the celebrations honouring the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's Major League Baseball debut, an exhibition of artifacts from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame was on display at the north end of the stadium.
The exhibit included Negro League memorabilia, photos of Robinson and additional art. Players on both teams wore No. 42 during the game.
ON DECK
Toronto left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu (0-0, 16.20 ERA) makes his second start of the season for the Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon. The Athletics will turn to right-hander Paul Blackburn (1-0, 0.00).
Ryu was tagged for six earned runs over 3 1/3 innings in a 12-6 loss to the Texas Rangers last weekend.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15, 2022.
Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter.
Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press
