Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 'one of the best hitters in the world,' battles through gash to hit three homers

NEW YORK — Already the face of the upstart Toronto Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looked the part of a true Maple Leaf on Wednesday night, too.

Guerrero shook off a bloody gash on his right ring finger to hit three home runs against the rival Yankees, including two off ace Gerrit Cole, in Toronto's 6-4 victory.

«Otherworldly hitting,» New York manager Aaron Boone said of Guerrero. «One of the best hitters in the world.»

The American League MVP runner-up homered off Cole in the first inning, had his hand accidentally spiked on a play at first base in the second, then hammered a line-drive homer off Cole in the third to put Toronto up 3-0. He doubled off Cole in the sixth — prompting the pitcher to make a show of tipping his cap to the 23-year-old — then launched a 443-foot leadoff homer against Jonathan Loaisiga in the eighth for a 5-3 lead.

«Did you see his night?» Cole said in his postgame availability when asked about the tip of the cap. «If you had a cap, you'd tip it, too.»

It was the second three-homer game of Guerrero's career, matching a career high set last April 27 against Washington.

The Blue Jays have taken two of three from the Yankees with the series finale on Thursday. New York's new lineup has struggled offensively during this season-opening homestand, even drawing some boos from the Yankees faithful.

Guerrero seemed like he'd have to leave in the second inning when his bare throwing hand was accidentally spiked by baserunner Aaron Hicks. Guerrero had to reach across his body for infielder Bo Bichette's throw and placed his right hand down behind the first base bag to balance. Hicks stomped on it running out an infield single.

The 23-year-old Guerrero immediately began waving the hand around, then walked