TORONTO -- There it is, that one big swing.
The Blue Jays had been waiting for a while, banking wins in creative ways while they waited for their superstar to take charge. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. delivered at last on Sunday afternoon, launching a massive first-inning homer that lifted the crowd at Rogers Centre and helped Toronto to an 8-6 win and a series sweep over the Giants.
It was Guerrero’s first homer since June 29 and just his third extra-base hit in 14 games this month. Somehow, the good times kept on rolling for the Blue Jays, but unlocking that power is about much more than a good stretch in July. The Blue Jays need Vlad to be Vlad.
He wants to be that guy, too, but a huge part of the way back is keeping the focus on the right things.
“We’re winning and we’re playing good baseball, and for me that’s the best,” Guerrero said in Spanish before the game. “When the team is winning, that’s what we need to focus on. And I’ll keep working hard and doing my best.”
No one around the Blue Jays would argue otherwise.
After Saturday’s win, as most players flocked to the field for Family Day, Guerrero made his way to the batting cages, ready to keep working following a 1-for-4 outing that included yet another double play on the ground and a hard-hit single. The Blue Jays’ message to their star slugger remained somewhat simple: swing like you’re ready to do damage, at least until you get to two strikes.
“I've said this [before]. It takes one swing, one game, for him to really get going,” manager John Schneider said on Friday. “We've seen that so many times with him, over and over again. I just want him to continue to take aggressive swings.”
That was very much the case against Robbie Ray on Sunday, as Guerrero turned on a hanging curveball and sent it 420 feet to center field to tie the game and help the Blue Jays to their AL-leading 29th comeback win of the season. It was the perfect swing to build upon.
“Vlad is always right there,” Schneider said on Sunday. “Some people say his numbers are pedestrian for his own standards, but he's still hitting the ball really hard, his at-bat quality is really good. And if today is the day that gets him going, getting the ball in the air a little bit, fine by me.”
Schneider and the Blue Jays are preaching selective aggressiveness because It’s the one thing that’s been missing. Guerrero is walking and reaching base at a career-high clip -- as evidenced by his 58th walk of the season (the third-best mark in the AL). He’s not chasing outside the strike zone and, by nature of build and talent, he’s still hitting the ball hard with consistency.
He’s also still dancing around during pregame drills and chatting up opponents who reach base. No one wants to change that. It’s more about finding the next gear, rediscovering the impact of playing like a superstar.
"It's not having one guy try to do more than he can,” said Schneider. “I think that we've done a really good job of that throughout the season. And still, if Vlad goes on a tear, I don't want him to think that he has to stay on one. I want guys to kind of just be who they are.”
Every one of the Blue Jays’ big bats played like themselves in their 10th consecutive home win.
First came a two-run double by Bo Bichette to give the Blue Jays the lead in the third inning. Then George Springer hit his 17th homer of the season, followed by an Alejandro Kirk RBI single and a booming two-run blast by Addison Barger in a four-run fifth frame.
When the Giants responded with four of their own in the following inning, Guerrero went back to basics. His second hit of the day snuck perfectly out of the reach of shortstop Willy Adames to cash in Springer and give the Blue Jays a two-run cushion.
Guerrero banged his hands together over and over at first base, turning to the dugout to celebrate with his game face still on. Nothing wrong with a perfectly placed roller. It’s one of many ways Peak Vladdy can beat you.
“That’s what it’s about, competing and doing my best on the field,” Guerrero said after the game. “ … The motivation is always there.”