Vladimir Guerrero Jr., José Ramírez both forced to leave game after Guardians-Blue Jays bean-ball episode
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr., José Ramírez both forced to leave game after Guardians-Blue Jays bean-ball episode
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and José Ramírez were both hit by pitches in the third inning. Both players were forced out of the game due to forearm injuries. X-rays came back negative on both players. The game was won 6-0 by the Toronto Blue Jays. The teams will meet again in the regular season on Friday. The Blue Jays lead the series 2-1. The Guardians have lost two of their last three games against the Blue Jays, all by one run.
The issues began in the top of the third inning. With the Blue Jays up 3-0, Guerrero was hit on the right forearm by a 96-mph fastball from Guardians starter Tanner Bibee. Guerrero immediately recoiled in pain and shot a glance at Bibee before walking to first base.
It marked the second time in the past two games that Guerrero was hit by a pitch. That, combined with the speed and location of Bibee’s pitch Thursday, likely led to Guerrero’s reaction.
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Guerrero initially remained in the game and ran the bases. He even appeared on defense in the bottom of the inning. But when the Blue Jays took the field in the bottom of the fourth, Guerrero was removed from the contest due to injury.
The Guardians’ next batter was Ramírez, who was hit in the right forearm by the first pitch of the inning from Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman. Both teams were warned by the umpire after Ramírez was hit.
Like Guerrero, Ramírez stayed in the game to run the bases. He managed to steal second base but was stranded there as the Guardians failed to capitalize on the early baserunner.
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When the Guardians took the field for the top of the fifth, Ramírez was no longer in the game. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt went to the umpire to announce the defensive change and made sure to let Blue Jays manager John Schneider know the Guardians were upset about the situation.
While both Guerrero and Ramírez were forced out of the contest, it appears they avoided serious injury. Both players were ruled out due to forearm injuries, and X-rays came back negative on both injuries.
Despite the early frustrations, both teams maintained their composure the rest of the way. The game remained 3-0 thanks to a gem by Gausman, who tossed eight scoreless innings. The Blue Jays added three more runs in the ninth inning, putting the game out of reach.
Both teams will move on and begin a new series Friday. The Blue Jays and Guardians will not meet again in the regular season.