Buoyed by his former team’s move to Toronto, Jose Berrios hit a career-high 13 strikeouts on Saturday to help the Blue Jays edge the Minnesota Twins 12-3.
Beyond this new brand, it is the strength of character of Berrios (4-2) that caught the eye. After a tough May in which he conceded at least five points in three of his five starts, he could well have crashed when he allowed two entry points in the match of the day.
Jorge Polanco has indeed slammed a two-run homer at his expense in the first inning. But Berrios then gave just one more safe-hit, concluding his day’s work after the seventh inning.
Berrios therefore had fun against several former teammates. Recall that the Jays had acquired the pitcher on July 31, 2021, in return for hopes Simeon Woods Richardson and Austin Martin. In relief, Julian Merryweather and Trent Thornton completed the work to formalize the ninth victory in the last 10 outings for the Toronto squad.
Circuit for Guerrero son
The Blue Jays offense is running at full speed these days and things weren’t much different on Saturday. Bo Bichette set the tone with a long solo ball on the first turn at bat to close the gap to one point. Alejandro Kirk and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed suit later, both scoring two points.
Already ahead by seven points in the eighth, the Blue Jays (31-21) planted the final nail thanks to a two-run single from Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Unlike Berrios, Twins starter Dylan Bundy (3-3) was generous. He gave up six runs, including five earned, eight hits and one walk in just two and a third innings. Revelers Ian Hamilton, Yennier Cano and Juan Minaya weren’t able to slow the Jays down either.
After being themselves dryly defeated 9-3 by the Twins on Friday, the Jays will try to win this series on Sunday with the holding of the third and final game.