Tensions nearly reached a boiling point as the Cleveland Guardians and Toronto Blue Jays went at it Thursday. The team’s two biggest stars — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jose Ramirez — were forced to leave the contest after being hit by pitches.
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 last two games Guerrero was hit by a pitch by the Guardians. That, combined with both the speed and location of Bibee’s pitch Thursday, likely led to Guerrero’s reaction to getting hit.
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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 the injury.
The Guardians’ next batter was Ramirez, who was immediately 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 Ramirez was hit by the pitch.
Like Guerrero, Ramirez 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, Ramirez 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 Ramirez were forced out of the contest, it appears they avoided serious injury. Both players were ruled out with forearm injuries. X-rays came back negative on both injuries.
At the time of the injuries, the Blue Jays held a 3-0 lead in the contest.
This story will be updated.
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