Vladimir Guerrero Jr Makes Brutal Baserunning Mistake In Crucial Game 2 Moment
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| Photo: Instagram/Vladimir Guerrero Jr. |
In a pivotal moment during Game 2 of the American League Wild Card series, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. committed a costly baserunning error, leaving baseball fans stunned.
The postseason is when star players are expected to shine, but occasionally, the desire to excel can result in game-altering mistakes. The Toronto Blue Jays, down 2–0 in the fifth inning, had runners poised on second and third with two outs, offering a prime opportunity to level the game, with Bo Bichette at the plate.
Regrettably for the Blue Jays, Bichette was denied that chance when Twins pitcher Sonny Gray executed a flawless pickoff move, catching Guerrero Jr. leaning too far from second base.
The postseason is when star players are expected to shine, but occasionally, the desire to excel can result in game-altering mistakes. The Toronto Blue Jays, down 2–0 in the fifth inning, had runners poised on second and third with two outs, offering a prime opportunity to level the game, with Bo Bichette at the plate.
Regrettably for the Blue Jays, Bichette was denied that chance when Twins pitcher Sonny Gray executed a flawless pickoff move, catching Guerrero Jr. leaning too far from second base.
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| Photo: Instagram/Vladimir Guerrero Jr. |
The contentious play was challenged by Toronto, but replays made it evident that Guerrero Jr. had been tagged out, terminating the Blue Jays' promising rally with their cleanup hitter unable to influence the outcome.
Toronto's season hung in the balance, requiring a victory in this game to force a Game 3 and avoid elimination. Minnesota had already struck first in the fourth inning, scoring two crucial runs, forcing the Blue Jays into comeback mode to extend their postseason journey.
However, Guerrero Jr., who had recorded a .788 OPS and 26 home runs in 156 regular-season games, was overcome by the desire to make an immediate impact, inadvertently taking away his teammate's opportunity in this critical juncture.
Toronto's season hung in the balance, requiring a victory in this game to force a Game 3 and avoid elimination. Minnesota had already struck first in the fourth inning, scoring two crucial runs, forcing the Blue Jays into comeback mode to extend their postseason journey.
However, Guerrero Jr., who had recorded a .788 OPS and 26 home runs in 156 regular-season games, was overcome by the desire to make an immediate impact, inadvertently taking away his teammate's opportunity in this critical juncture.
What a massive pickoff by the @Twins! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/i4g9ULQmjx
— MLB (@MLB) October 4, 2023
Guerrero Jr.'s unfortunate lapse in judgment proved to be catastrophic for the Blue Jays, as they failed to score in the 2–0 defeat. This heartbreaking loss marked the end of Toronto's playoff aspirations, while the Minnesota Twins advanced to the American League Division Series (ALDS), where they would face the Houston Astros.
In the high-stakes theater of playoff baseball, Guerrero Jr.'s baserunning blunder will undoubtedly be remembered as a pivotal moment that sealed the fate of his team.
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Source: Sports Illustrated
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