Langeliers’ homer in the 9th inning lifts humble athletics over Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally found his home run swing at Rogers Center, but starting pitcher Chris Bassitt still can’t find his mojo on the mound.

“A home run is a home run to me,” Guerrero said through translator Hector Lebron. “People always ask me about hitting a homer here at Rogers Center, but I mean God has a time for everything and I believe that.

“Thank God it happened, but like I said, a homer is a homer. I’m very glad it happened.”

Kevin Kiermaier had an RBI double in the third before Guerrero’s homer powered him in to give Toronto (41-36) a momentary one-run lead.

Bassitt gave up four runs on five hits and two walks in five innings. He knocked out four.

The Blue Jays have lost in Bassitt’s last three starts. He took the loss after giving up eight runs over three innings in an 11–6 loss at Baltimore on June 13 and then was handed a no decision after allowing five runs – three earned – over 3 2/3 innings in an 11-7 loss. in Texas on June 18.

“I sometimes feel like I think too much on the hill instead of competing,” said Bassitt.

Relievers Trevor Richards, Tim Mayza and Erik Swanson kept the A’s off the scoreboard, but closer Jordan Romano (3-3) of Markham, Ont.

JJ Bleday had a two-run homer in the first and a sacrifice fly in the fifth as Oakland (20-58) snapped an eight-game slip. Langeliers also had an RBI-single in the first.

James Kapriellan gave up four runs on six hits and a walk, but struckout eight in his six innings. Sam Moll, Lucas Erceg (2-0) and Trevor May came out of the athletics bullpen.

Conner Capel was the only player in Friday’s batting order with a batting average better than .250. Three Oakland batters had averages below .200—called the Mendoza Line—heading into the game: Tony Kemp (. 180), Seth Brown (. 184), and Tyler Wade (. 167). Langeliers entered the game with .199, but his two hits increased his average to .204.

But Oakland manager Mark Kotsay stacked his batting order with seven left-handers, including Capel, Kemp, Brown and Wade, to counter right-hander Bassitt.

“Just prepare for left-handers,” said Bassitt when asked how he could have prepared better. “I’m not really sure how to answer that, other than to prepare for left-handers.”

‘I think I’m done pitching’

Bassitt gave up a leadoff single to Kemp, who then stole second base. Bleday came to the plate two at bats later and launched a 1-1 throw 112 feet to the right to score Kemp.

Bassitt walked and gave up another hit to bring Langeliers to the plate. The light-hitting catcher singled and scored Aledmys Diaz for a 3-0 Oakland lead after an inning.

After that, Bassitt stopped calling his own pitches and instead relied on catcher Danny Jansen’s judgment.

“I think I’m done pitching,” said Bassitt. “I’m not sure I tip in the way I track pitches. I’m not sure what’s really going on right now.”

Four batters later, Guerrero hit his 10th home run of the season deep into left field. The 434-foot bomb came off a 92.1 mph four-seam fastball to score Kiermaier and Bo Bichette for a 4-3 Blue Jays’ lead.

Bleday tied the score for Oakland in the fifth with his sacrifice fly. It gave Capel plenty of time to run home and make it 4-4.

Langeliers gave the Atletics another lead in the top of the ninth inning, sending Romano’s 1-1 pitch to deep left field. It was only the third homerun the Toronto closer gave up this season.

Catcher Alejandro Kirk did some receiving drills on Friday, but hasn’t batted yet. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday after his left hand was torn when hit by a pitch.

Jose Berrios takes his 7-5 record to the mound on Saturday as Toronto continues its streak with Oakland.

Hogan Harris (2-1) is scheduled to pitch for the Athletics.