Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took advantage of the Toronto Blue Jays’ first preseason game on Saturday afternoon in Florida to hit a home run.
Guerrero Jr. slammed the long ball in the fourth inning to drive in two runs to help lead a 9-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton.
Quebecer of Dominican origin Otto Lopez also took advantage of this meeting to stand out. He thus displayed his speed to obtain a triple, in the third inning, then crossing home plate on a sacrifice fly by his teammate Nathan Lukes. Lopez played the game as a right fielder.
Prospect Addison Barger and veteran Santiago Espinal also homered for the Jays in the game.
On the mound, Japan’s Yusei Kikuchi had a reassuring performance to start the preseason schedule, limiting the Pirates to one hit in two innings. Kikuchi mostly had five strikeouts.
Édouard Julien on the trails
In Fort Myers, Quebecer Édouard Julien applied his recipe that should lead him to success, hitting the trails twice in as many occasions in a preseason game for the Minnesota Twins.
• Read also: World Baseball Classic: Édouard Julien with Canada
Julien, who was playing at second defensive base, first hit a single in the second inning against Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Josh Fleming, before scoring on a triple from teammate Willi Castro. The athlete from Quebec, who is 23 years old, drew a base on walks in the next turn at bat.
The Twins won the game by the score of 8-4.
