Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had one of the best games of his young career Wednesday night. The 23-year-old slugger went 4 for 4 and mashed three home runs for his team in the Blue Jays' 6-4 win over the Yankees.
Guerrero's performance at the plate carried the Blue Jays to victory, but he needed an assist to get through the game.
"Besides Vladdy, the trainers were the MVPs tonight," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said, per MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.
MORE: Why Dave Roberts pulled Clayton Kershaw from perfect game bid
Indeed, the Blue Jays' training staff proved crucial in Guerrero's strong performance. Why? Because he was bloodied in the second inning while playing first base. The Yankees' Aaron Hicks stepped on Guerrero's right hand on play at the bag.
Vlad got spiked pic.twitter.com/Tr5O5p5aR7
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) April 13, 2022
“He was bleeding a lot," Montoyo said. "I called Voon [Chong] over, our trainer. It was like that 'Rocky' movie: 'Cut me, Mick!' He did a great job."
Guerrero left the field for a couple minutes but returned after having the wound wrapped. He originally felt some discomfort with the wrap, per Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling, but he shook it off and was able to continue playing.
FAGAN: Ke'Bryan Hayes shows Pirates why he's the future they need
Guerrero had homered off Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the first inning prior to the injury. In his three at-bats after being cut, he homered again off Cole in the third, doubled against Cole in the sixth and homered off Jonathan Loaisiga in the eighth.
1st inning - #PLAKATA 💥
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 13, 2022
2nd inning - Stepped on
3rd inning - #PLAKATA 💥
The definition of DIFFERENT! pic.twitter.com/fcpUXfT4yZ
Vladdy is SO good, you can't help but tip your cap 💥 pic.twitter.com/3O2L4cLoMX
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 14, 2022
🎶 And Vladdy got the hatty 💥 #PLAKATA pic.twitter.com/0telD4C6Be
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 14, 2022
He did all of that despite needing two stitches in his injured finger after the game. He said he isn't concerned about the injury going forward, per Sportsnet.
MORE: 17 overreactions to the start of baseball season
Guerrero's three-home-run game was the second of his career — the first came April 27, 2021, against the Nationals — and gave him sole possession of the MLB home run lead this season with four. Last year's American League MVP runner-up also has eight RBIs and a .391/.491/.957 slash line in six games played.
Guerrero's Hall of Fame father summed up his performance best: The "kid is on fire."
👀 El niño está encendido. 🔥🔥
— Vladimir Guerrero (@VladGuerrero27) April 14, 2022
Kid is on fire 🔥🔥#VG27
