Tensions have quickly risen in Thursday afternoon's rubber match between the Cleveland Guardians and Toronto Blue Jays, with two of the game's stars being plunked by pitches within the game's first four innings.
In the top of the third, Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was struck by Guardians starter Tanner Bibee. He left the game with what the team is calling a "forearm contusion." X-rays have since came back negative for a fracture.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leaves today's game vs. the Guardians after being hit by a pitch pic.twitter.com/vAhJ7DMsRb
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 26, 2025
Then, just an inning later, Guerrero's teammate Kevin Gausman seemingly retaliated by beaning Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez with the first pitch of the frame. The slugger also left the game with a bruised forearm.
3rd inning: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left the game after being hit by a pitch.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 26, 2025
4th inning: Jose Ramirez was hit by a pitch and both benches are warned.
(via @Sportsnet)pic.twitter.com/LCPmpP4Jha
"And now with the first pitch Kevin Gausman hits Jose Ramirez," play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman said on the Sportsnet broadcast. "And that will tell you everything you need to know about how the Blue Jays feel about Guerrero getting hit."
Both benches were warned following the altercations. The Blue Jays took a 3-0 lead over the Guardians into the ninth inning.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Jose Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Both Leave Game After HBP in Back-to-Back Innings.
