TORONTO — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. clipped a misplaced sinker Tuesday, sending a 103.4 mph bullet to deep centre.It was a low liner, but the sort of scorched drive Guerrero has willed out of plenty of parks before. It travelled 395 feet. At Rogers Centre, that’s five feet short. Guerrero’s first long ball at home still eludes him.“I believe in God, and when he decides the home run will come, it’ll come,” Guerrero told The Athletic after the game. “I know it’s going to come. I just keep praying and keep working hard. Eventually, it’s going to come.”When asked about his latest line drive after the Toronto Blue Jays’ 5-3 win over the Boston Red Sox, Guerrero smiled. He knew he got close. In the last month he’s driven a few to the turf warning track and slammed one off the top of the wall in centre. He’s run to first base so many times, watching his fly balls fall into gloves.“I just laugh,” Guerrero said. “I just laugh and try not to think about it.”Last October, Guerrero stood in the batter’s box and admired eight majestic drives that left the yard. Everyone knows what he looks like when he’s at his best. But we’re 121 games and 61 home contests into the season. The crowd at Rogers Centre chants his name and stands for at-bats, yet to be rewarded with one in the seats. Even last year, when Guerrero hit just 23 regular-season homers, he never went more than 18 home games without a dinger. We’ve long passed improbability.
As Blue Jays heat up, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. awaits first homer at home: ‘It’ll come’
With the Blue Jays winning nine of their last 13 games, a few deep drives at home from their first baseman would help the task at hand.
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