In 1st Game Since Trade, Jose Berríos, Blue Jays Top Twins, 5-3
TORONTO (AP) — José Berríos pitched into the seventh inning to beat his former team, Bo Bichette homered in a five-run first inning and the Toronto Blue Jays held their playoff position by beating the Minnesota Twins 5-3 Sunday.
Toronto began the day one game behind AL wild-card leader Boston and a half-game ahead of the third-place New York Yankees.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits and an RBI as the Blue Jays improved to 15-3 in September.
Traded to Toronto on July 30 after six seasons with the Twins, Berríos (12-9) faced his ex-teammates for the first time. He allowed three runs and four hits to win for the fourth time in five starts, and improved to 5-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 10 starts with the Blue Jays.
Berríos left to a standing ovation after giving up Ben Rortvedt's solo home run in the seventh.
Trevor Richards struck out three of the four batters he faced and Jordan Romano finished for his 19th save in 20 chances.
Minnesota lost for the sixth time in eight games.
With an off day Monday, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli decided to empty his bullpen for the series finale. Minnesota opened with right-hander Luke Farrell, who hadn't allowed a run in three September appearances.
Farrell (1-1) struck out George Springer to begin the game, but the Blue Jays followed with seven straight hits. Marcus Semien doubled and scored on Guerrero's single, and Bichette followed with his 26th home run. Toronto's 237 homers are the most in the majors.
Four more singles followed, including RBI hits by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Breyvic Valera, before Danny Jansen grounded into a fielder's choice and Farrell retired Springer for a second time to end the inning.
Farrell is the son of former Blue Jays manager John Farrell. His brother, Shane, is Toronto's scouting director.
Minnesota's Nick Gordon hit a two-run double off Berríos in the fourth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Blue Jays: Toronto put LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (neck soreness) on the 10-day injured list and recalled LHP Tayler Saucedo from Triple-A Buffalo. Ryu has an 8.10 ERA over his past eight starts.
Twins: RHP Joe Ryan is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Cubs. Ryan left last Tuesday's start against Cleveland after being struck on the wrist by a batted ball. … Josh Donaldson was hit on the right elbow by a pitch from Berríos in the fourth but finished the game.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays: LHP Robbie Ray (12-5, 2.64) starts Monday in the opener of a three-game series at Tampa Bay. Ray is 2-1 with a 1.85 ERA in five starts against Tampa Bay this season. The Rays have not named a starter.
Twins: RHP Griffin Jax (3-4, 6.65) starts Tuesday as Minnesota visits Chicago for a two-game interleague series against the Cubs. RHP Alec Mills (6-6, 4.50) starts for Chicago.
(© Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)