Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tied a career high with a hit in his 22nd straight game, but Oakland Athletics starter Osvaldo Bido excelled to help his team beat the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 on Saturday.
Guerrero Jr. hit one in the first and was held in check afterwards.
He came to bat in the bottom of the ninth with Daulton Varsho on first base and one out. However, he was hit by Mason Miller’s powerful throws.
“So you pay the price of admission, even after two and a half hours when there’s less action,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
“You expect him to hit the ball, but Miller is one of the best relievers in major league baseball. He throws the ball 103 (mph) to hit it. This is the type of matchup you want to see. This is the best pitch by the best pitcher against the best hitter ».
Brent Rooker’s home run after two outs in the sixth inning against starter Yariel Rodriguez (1-5) was enough to allow the Athletics to tie the series 1-1.
Rooker’s 21st long ball of the season hit over the left field wall, in front of 34,312 spectators at the Rogers Center.
Bido (3-3) gave up just two hits in six innings with one walk and five strikeouts. After allowing a single to Ernie Clement to start the second, Bido gave up nothing else.
He retired 15 of the last 16 batters he faced, hitting Leo Jimenez in the fifth.
The Jays did not send a player to second base.
Rodriguez worked for five and two-thirds innings. He was removed from the game after allowing a third single to Shea Langeliers.
Langeliers completed the four-for-four outing with another single in the ninth.
Scott Alexander, Tyler Ferguson and Mason Miller continued the two-hit shutout with efficient seventh, eighth and ninth innings, respectively.
Miller earned his 17th save of the campaign.