Sometimes playing with fire, the Toronto Blue Jays still clinched a 6-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night at Fenway Park, thanks to Jose Berrios’ first win this season.
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The Puerto Rico pitcher is not having a start to the season that lives up to expectations, having allowed seven runs in five and a third innings before Wednesday’s start, his third of the campaign. Once again, it was not perfect, but Berrios provided the essentials.
Spending just over six innings on the mound, the 27-year-old gunner gave the Sox just one run in the first turn at bat on a JD Martinez single. He continued his roller coaster night of work allowing eight hits and one walk. Berrios, however, was able to end the threats by striking out six batters.
While he was having a good time on the mound late in the third inning, the right-hander lost control of his arm when he sent a ball at 93 miles per hour directly to the head of Trevor Story. The second baseman got up after several seconds, visibly stunned.
On offense, the Jays scored the majority of their runs in the fifth inning. Raimel Tapia opened the ball with his first long pitch of the season, which allowed Matt Chapman to cross the plate. George Springer and Bo Bichette, the latter with an arrow to left field for two points, also added at the expense of Nick Pivetta (0-3).
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three free passes to reach the cushions.
Pivetta is still looking for a first win this year. Another loss went to his record by virtue of his five earned runs, seven hits from a safe place and four walks against the Blue Jays.
The Queen City team will end its three-game series in Boston on Thursday afternoon. The Red Sox won the first game 2-1 on Tuesday.