ARLINGTON -- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up the first RBI of his career Saturday night, and in a unique twist, it had a connection to his Hall of Fame father.

Guerrero scored Justin Smoak from second base with an RBI single during an 8-5 loss to the Rangers, which brought back memories from nine years ago. The first RBI of Smoak's career took place on April 27, 2010, when he was a member of the Rangers. The player who scored on the sacrifice fly? Vladimir Guerrero Sr.

The first RBI of Guerrero Jr.'s career was the top highlight in an otherwise disappointing night for the Blue Jays. Rookie left-hander Thomas Pannone had a rough outing in his spot start, as he allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings. Toronto’s offense made a game of it late, but the early deficit was too much to overcome as the club dropped to 1-4 on its current six-game road trip.

“Baseball is crazy,” Guerrero said through an interpreter after the game. “That was like nine years ago. Smoaky and I are here now playing together. It feels great … I feel very happy with myself about my first RBI. Hopefully there will be many, many to come.”

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Guerrero’s first RBI knock came in the top of the first inning off right-hander Lance Lynn. The ball left Guerrero's bat at 90.8 mph and rolled under the glove of Asdrubal Cabrera at third for a single. It was the only hit Guerrero had on the night, but he also walked, and the Dominican native will be more than happy to take that after a rough first week to his career.

MLB Pipeline’s top-ranked prospect is batting just .192 through the first seven games of his career. He has yet to homer, but there still have been some positive signs, with multiple balls put in play above 100 mph, and his four walks also indicate an elite level of patience at the plate. The power will come with time, and nobody within the organization seems the least bit concerned that Guerrero’s first week in the big leagues hasn’t been an overwhelming success.

Another interesting tidbit from Guerrero’s night is that he became the sixth-youngest player to drive in a run at Globe Life Park, and the youngest to do so since Manny Machado on Aug. 21, 2012. Machado was 20 years and 46 days old, while Guerrero was 20 years and 49 days old as of Friday night.

“I just have to keep working hard,” said Guerrero, who has a .531 OPS across seven games. “Every day I feel very comfortable at the plate, more comfortable, so I know they're going to fall … I don't feel bad at all. I'm just going to keep working to get the results I want.”

The Blue Jays’ lineup didn’t get much help at all from its pitching staff. Pannone allowed one run in the first, four in the second and he was charged with two more in the third. The 25-year-old has allowed 11 runs in five innings as a starter this season, and it seems likely it could be a while before he gets another opportunity in the rotation. Toronto does not need a fifth starter again until May 18 against the White Sox, and by then, lefty Clayton Richard might be ready to come off the injured list.

Pannone should be expected to return to the bullpen, where he has found a home this season as a long reliever. The native of Rhode Island has been able to post some decent numbers as a reliever with six earned runs over 14 innings for a 3.86 ERA. Pannone’s biggest value out of the ‘pen has been providing length alongside fellow long reliever Sam Gaviglio, who tossed two scoreless innings Saturday night.

The seven runs allowed by Pannone were the most by a Blue Jays starter this season, and the eight runs overall were the most allowed by Toronto on the road in 2019.

“He didn’t have his command and he was off from the beginning,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said of Pannone. “We had to give him a little bit longer because of what we had in the bullpen. He had a tough one. No excuses … The bullpen was outstanding today. Gaviglio and [Elvis] Luciano gave us a chance. We made it a game.”