Guerrero Jr.’s RBI double in 9th inning lifts Blue Jays over Mets | CBC Sports

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI double in the ninth inning, leading the Toronto Blue Jays past the New York Mets 2-1 on Saturday.

Guerrero’s big hit came three pitches after Blue Jays manager John Schneider was ejected for arguing balls and strikes. Home plate umpire Charlie Ramos called the first pitch of Guerrero’s at-bat, which appeared to land low and out of the strike zone, a strike. Schneider shouted at Ramos from the dugout and was tossed before coming out and arguing at the plate.

Mets closer David Robertson (2-1) got ahead of Guerrero 1-2 before the Blue Jays’ star doubled down the left-field line to score George Springer, who singled with one out and stole second base.

Nate Pearson (2-0) struck out two in a hitless eighth and Erik Swanson worked around a one-out single by Mark Canha in the ninth to earn his first save.

Toronto almost took the lead in the eighth, but Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor threw out pinch-runner Cavan Biggio trying to score from third on a grounder by Whit Merrifield.

Kirk, Springer and Bo Bichette had two hits apiece.

Daniel Vogelbach hit an RBI double in the second for the Mets. Brandon Nimmo had a pair of singles.

Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios allowed one run and struck out six in six innings. Mets starter Tylor Megill gave up one run despite allowing five hits and issuing five walks in 5 1/3 innings.

Jays place Bassitt on paternity list, recall Jackson

Chris Bassitt tweeted early Saturday that his wife Jessica was still in labour as the couple awaits the birth of their second child. Bassitt tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings and earned the win in Friday’s 3-0 victory before flying home to Toronto. He was placed on the paternity list Saturday morning.

To replace Bassitt on the active roster, Toronto recalled RHP Jay Jackson from triple-A Buffalo.

Bassitt has been a steady presence for the Blue Jays since joining the ball club this off-season. In 12 starts this season, he has a 6-4 record, a 3.41 earned-run average and a 1.07 WHIP.

Jackson, 35, has pitched three innings in the majors this season.

Hall of Fame day

Former players Howard Johnson and Al Leiter and current broadcasters Gary Cohen and Howie Rose were inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame before the game. Longtime media relations executive Jay Horwitz also was honoured with a Hall of Fame achievement award.

The quintet threw out ceremonial first pitches. Jack Leiter, a Texas Rangers pitching prospect, surprised his father by attending the ceremony and caught Al’s pitch.

Mets RHP Kodai Senga (5-3, 3.44 ERA) will make his first big-league start on four days’ rest when he opposes Blue Jays LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-2, 4.47 ERA) in Sunday’s series finale. Senga gave up one hit over seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 win over the Phillies on Tuesday. Kikuchi matched his victory total from last year that same day by limiting the Brewers to two runs over five innings.