Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a home run at the Rogers Centre on September 13, 2026, ending a year-long homerless run in Toronto as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-1.
The blast came in the fifth inning off Orioles starter Trevor Rogers, during Guerrero's 289th plate appearance of the season and the Blue Jays' 150th game of the year.
It was the Dominican slugger's first regular-season home run in Toronto since August 17, 2025.
Guerrero, a Dominican first baseman and the son of Hall of Fame outfielder Vladimir Guerrero Sr., has spent his entire major league career with the Blue Jays and has made six All-Star teams.
Guerrero told a television network that he knows his stadium and knows when he can afford to stand still at the plate. He said he remained motionless, bat pointed toward the left field corner, as the ball sailed out of the park. It barely cleared the wall, but Guerrero said he knew right away it was gone.
The six-time All-Star received an ovation from the Rogers Centre crowd as he ended an 85-game streak without a home run at the stadium.
Manager's reaction
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after the game, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, that it looked like a game-winning homer as everyone glanced around the stadium. Schneider said he saw infielder Andres Gimenez jump the railing, and that he, George Springer and Ernie Clement were high-fiving each other. He said Guerrero is their guy.
Guerrero finished the game 4-for-5 at the plate. His homer was the second of three consecutive home runs hit by the Blue Jays, with Springer and Kazuma Okamoto also going deep, giving Toronto three straight home runs for the first time since 2012.
Guerrero said he hopes the home run is a sign. He said he has worked very hard for this and will keep giving everything for the fans and the team, trying to help the club win every day.
Worst season of his career
Guerrero, 27, has hit 9 home runs with 56 RBIs and a700 OPS in 135 games this season, the worst campaign of his eight-year major league career. It is also the first season of the 14-year, $500 million contract extension he signed with Toronto in April 2025.
Guerrero said that he tries, insisting that every time he takes the field he tries to do his job and give 100 percent. He said he has all his teammates with him, that they believe in him, and that fortunately the fans believe in him too.
