Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ends homer drought as Blue Jays sweep Red Sox at Fenway

Blue Jays star first baseman hit his first home run in a month as Toronto complete sweep in Boston despite brief Trey Yesavage hiccup.

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Published Jun 18, 2026  •  4 minute read

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays jogs home after hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox. Getty Images

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Admittedly, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said he’s not deserving of an all-star nod in the wake of the first wave of voting for baseball’s mid-summer classic.

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His numbers clearly speak to how little he merits an inclusion.

Starters named to the all-star game have become an exercise in popularity given that fans have the ultimate say. When it comes to popularity and profile, Vladdy Jr. is among the game’s most visible.

The first phase in the voting process, released by MLB earlier in the week, had Guerreo Jr. in first with 603,014 votes to start at first base followed by New York’s Ben Rice, who is far more worthy.

More at-bats such as Guerrero’s first plate appearance in Thursday’s series finale at Fenway Park and no questions about his candidacy will be asked.

One pitch, a down and in slider from Red Sox starter Sonny Gray, is all the slumping slugger needed as the ball clear the Green Monster in left centre. Thursday’s homer sailed 410 feet, though it must be pointed out the wind was blowing out to left field.

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Regardless, it was the swing Vlad Jr. put on the ball and how assertive he was in his approach. The unique sound Guerrero creates when he puts bat on ball is unmistakable.

His previous dinger came in Detroit on May 17. When Vlad Jr. was fitted with the club’s home run jacket, a TV microphone picked up the following quip from manager John Schneider: “It still fits.”

But there was nothing to laugh about once the Red Sox produced back-to-back homers in the eighth inning to tie the game after the Jays were leading 3-0.

Wind played a factor on a dropped pop up in the ninth with Brandon Valenzuela at the plate.

While he did get a second chance on a foul ball that would have normally been caught, he would drive in the winning run on a double that went off the Green Monster to give the Jays their 4-3 victory.

The following are three takeaways as the Jays earned their first series sweep of the season since opening weekend when the Athletics were in Toronto.

How well did Trey Yesavage pitch?

In arguably his finest hour of the season, Trey Yesavage went through Boston’s order for the first time with stunning efficiency.

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Nine up, nine down — it doesn’t get any better for Yesavage, who has not looked good in his past few outings when the long ball and an abundance of walks plagued his pitching.

The Red Sox recorded their first hit off the righty on a leadoff single in the fourth.

So good for so much of the game, Yesavage would be taken deep twice before giving up a sharply hit single that effectively ended his outing with one out in the eighth.

He deserved much better than a no-decision, but no one has ever said fairness is part of the game. Regardless, the way Yesavage pitched was something to build on.

Will Sonny Gray be a potential trade deadline target?

Gray, a pending free agent, would look awfully good on a competent team. In the days, perhaps even weeks, leading up to the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline, expect his name to be mentioned prominently.

He gave up a run in the first and second innings before shutting down the Jays.

In the sixth, Jesus Sanchez recorded a leadoff single. Gray and Boston were given a huge break when a brain fart suddenly overcame Sanchez, whose inexcusable baserunning led to the second out.

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One day after five bases were stolen, the Jays attempted to add to their total. This time, Clement was picked off and caught stealing second base to end the sixth.

One inning later, Gray was taken deep by Nathan Lukes as the Jays took a 3-0 lead.

Bullpen sharpened

Under-rated in some corners, but very much appreciated for those associated with the Jays, the club’s group of relievers has been good in the face of mounting issues.

Seven pitchers were used Wednesday on a bullpen day. Knowing the bullpen was thin and seeing that Yesavage was dealing, Toronto took a calculated risk in allowing its starter to go deep.

With one out in the eighth, Tommy Nance was summoned and in the ninth, it was up to Mason Fluharty to seal the deal.

So many twists and turns, fortuitous moments each club would benefit the end result was a Blue Jays win.

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The way Nance and Fluharty pitched out of the pen, the way rookie Brandon Valenzuela persevered in his at-bat against hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman, who was making his first appearance in the series, the Jays are flying high.

Nance picked up the win, while Fluharty earned the save, the second of his career.

Up Next

From Beantown to Chi-Town, the Jays’ six-game trip takes them to the Windy City for a three-game series (first pitch for all games is 2:20 p.m.).

Friday’s series opener is scheduled to feature Kevin Gausman on the mound for the Jays, one start after he threw a one-hit gem against the Yankees — unfortunately for the veteran right-hander, the pitch left the yard.

He did end up going seven innings and is two shy of reaching 2,000 for his career.

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