Jose Ramirez and the Guardians expected a regular mid-week rubber match, but tempers flared quickly between the Blue Jays and Guardians on Thursday, turning the game personal.
Just one inning after Tanner Bibee drilled Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a fastball and forced him to exit the game, Toronto starter Kevin Gausman responded, and everyone noticed.
In the fourth, Gausman hit Guardians star Jose Ramirez on the forearm with a 95 mph heater, prompting immediate warnings to both benches.
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
Guardians fans wasted no time venting their fury, calling the move reckless and unnecessary.
“They couldn’t have made it more obvious if they tried. Embarrassing organization,” one fan wrote.
They couldn’t have made it more obvious if they tried. Embarrassing organization.
— Jake Hurricane (@BigJakeCLE) June 26, 2025
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“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes,” another fan wrote.
Play stupid games
— SWOLE (@swolemeta_x) June 26, 2025
win stupid prizes
“Cleveland better light a candle and pray Vladdy’s ok,” another fan wrote.
Cleveland better light a candle and pray Vladdy’s ok
— Alex Gam (@AlexGam2013) June 26, 2025
“Bush league,” one X user commented.
Bush league
— Grady’s Ladies (@grady_s_ladie_s) June 26, 2025
“Any intentional hbp should result in an automatic fine and suspension IMO,” another X user replied.
Any intentional hbp should result in an automatic fine and suspension imo.
— Karl Stursberg (@KarlStursberg) June 26, 2025
“I expect Gausman to get a 3 game suspension for this. Unless, hitting the golden goose Ohtani is different,” one fan commented.
I expect Gausman to get a 3 game suspension for this. Unless, hitting the golden goose Ohtani is different.
— Friar Norman (@DavidNorman59) June 26, 2025
“Why was Gausman not ejected?!” another fan asked.
Why was Gausman not ejected?!
— Sell The Goddamn Team Dolan (@TomLasby) June 26, 2025
Guardians Unhappy After Blue Jays Hit Jose Ramirez
While Guerrero grimaced and walked off earlier in the game, Ramirez initially stayed in after the hit but later left with swelling. The medical staff took X-rays, which confirmed no fracture, and later he appeared with a compression wrap around the injury.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt wasn’t pleased, saying after the game, “We knew it was coming, which is part of the game. All I said was, ‘hit him in the hip.’” He added via MLB, “You’re going to hit somebody on purpose, you hit him in the hip, not the arm.”
Tanner Bibee, who started the game for Cleveland, echoed that frustration: “They didn’t even really try to hide it,” he said. “But it’s OK. I mean, it’ll come back to them.”
It was a bad day for the Guardians and Jose Ramirez as they struggled offensively. Kevin Gausman delivered a stellar performance. He surrendered two hits and one walk while punching out six over eight shutout innings. Gausman led the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-0 win over the Guardians.
Nathan Lukes and Alejandro Kirk each drove in two runs with clutch singles, while Cleveland’s four errors helped Toronto pull away. The Guardians are ranked No.17 in the week 13 MLB power rankings.
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