Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leaves game with right hamstring tightness

WASHINGTON (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left Tuesday night’s 8-6 loss to the Washington Nationals with right hamstring tightness.

He was replaced in the bottom of the fourth inning by Kazuma Okamoto.

Guerrero, a six-time All-Star, grounded into a double play and reached on an infield single in his two at-bats. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Guerrero felt tightness when he touched first base on his single and turned toward second after an errant throw.

“He was a little sore and he wanted to stay in," Schneider said. “It was my call just to be careful with him and not have anything worse happen. ... He checked out pretty good and we'll see how he is tomorrow. It's a quick turnaround and, again, just trying to be smart with him. I don't want to lose him for an extended period of time.”

Guerrero is hitting .265 with six homers and 44 RBIs this season.

The 27-year-old slugger has played at least 156 games in each of the past five seasons. He has played in 103 of Toronto’s 108 games this year.

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Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looks on from the dugout after striking out in his first at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. waits his turn for batting practice before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, July 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Nationals' Nasim Nuñez (26) beats out a throw to Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., center, during the second inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looks on during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) is safe at first base against Washington Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (2) during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Royce Lewis hit a two-run triple with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Minnesota Twins a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Taj Bradley threw six strong innings for the Twins (54-54), who have won three in a row and five of six. They are third in the AL Cental, just two games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox.

Kody Clemens doubled for Minnesota in the fourth and scored on Josh Bell's single. But center fielder Byron Buxton left in the fifth with right hip soreness after running to first base. It's the same joint that caused him to miss the All-Star Game this month.

Kansas City went ahead 2-1 in the sixth when Josh Rojas stole home on the front end of a double steal and Salvador Perez had an RBI single.

Victor Caratini singled against Alex Lange (1-6) leading off the ninth and Brooks Lee walked with one out. Lange struck out No. 9 hitter Ryan Kreidler but Lewis, who entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh, drove a 1-1 cutter off the top of the right-center fence to win it.

It was Lewis’ second career walk-off hit, and Lange's third blown save this season.

Jack Anderson (1-0) struck out two in a scoreless inning for his first major league win. Anderson was optioned to the minors Sunday and then recalled Tuesday from Triple-A St. Paul when Minnesota placed right-hander Cole Sands on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 27) with a right elbow strain.

The 25-year-old Bradley struck out 10 and walked three while giving up two runs and three hits. It was his fourth double-digit strikeout game this season.

Royals starter Seth Lugo allowed one run in six innings and Kansas City turned five double plays, most by a big league team in one game this year.

All-Star RHP Joe Ryan (6-6, 3.38 ERA) pitches Wednesday night for the Twins. RHP Randy Dobnak (0-0, 1.42) is expected to start for the Royals against his former team.

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Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Joseph Scheller)

Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton (25) advances towards first base after hitting a single in the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Joseph Scheller)

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Taj Bradley (26) delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Joseph Scheller)

Minnesota Twins' Ryan Kreidler (5) takes a bucket of Gatorade off his head after he and Royce Lewis, second from left, were doused after Lewis' hit an RBI triple walk-off scoring Victor Caratini and Brooks Lee in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Joseph Scheller)

Minnesota Twins' Royce Lewis, center, celebrates with Luke Keaschall, left, and Kody Clemens after hitting an RBI triple walk-off scoring Victor Caratini and Brooks Lee in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Joseph Scheller)