A tense game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Guardians exploded into a dramatic showdown on Thursday when two of baseball’s brightest stars were hit in consecutive innings—triggering warnings, clearing the benches and running emotions at Progressive Field.
In the third inning, Guardians starter Tanner Bibee hit Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a 95-mph pitch that hit him squarely on his right forearm. The all-star left the game and was later diagnosed with a bruised forearm, though X-rays came back negative.
Just one inning later, Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman appeared to strike back—hitting Guardians star José Ramírez in the right arm. The pitch prompted a warning from the umpire and prompted Ventura Field manager Stephen Vogt to hold back as tensions mounted.
“We knew they were going to hit Hosey. … If you’re going to hit somebody on purpose, you hit them in the hip, not the arm.”
Blue Jays coach John Schneider dismissed the idea of such an intention.
“I know they weren’t trying to throw at Vlad. We weren’t trying to throw at Jose. It’s just one of those things where you try to throw the ball. I think everybody handled it well.”
Bibee also insisted that the hit to Guerrero Jr. was accidental, saying:
“He’s one of the best hitters … I tried to throw a sinker … It just ran in. … I didn’t try to hit him.”
Both Guerrero Jr. and Ramírez left the game with bruised forearms but avoided serious injury—both had negative X-rays.
Despite the chaos, Gausman dominated on the mound—going eight scoreless innings, allowing just two runs and scattering six hits. His strong performance helped the Blue Jays win the series 6–0.
With Guerrero Jr. back in Toronto’s lineup on Friday, coach Schneider confirmed that he is “in good spirits” and is expected to be available for the upcoming series against Boston.
Fortunately, Guerrero Jr.’s hit ended in a bruise—and no lasting damage. Still, the double-header turned a routine contest into a tense climax. As the series moves to Boston, both teams will be closely watching the strategy inside—and whether cooler heads prevail.