Berrios, Guerrero lead Blue Jays to 3-1 series-opening win over Athletics – Brandon Sun

TORONTO – Vladimir Guerrero extended his hitting streak to 21 games with two singles, but it was his running catch in foul territory that had his teammates talking after the Toronto Blue Jays’ win on Friday.

The Blue Jays (54-62) won 3-1 in the season opener against the Oakland Athletics (48-69), thanks to Guerrero and an excellent game with eight strikeouts by Jose Berrios (10-9).

With the score tied in the sixth inning, the Athletics had runners on first and third with two outs. Guerrero chased the third out and after catching Shea Langeliers’ foul pop-up, crashed into the net and the first row of seats.

“I told him it was kind of a fake dive,” said George Springer, who led off the top of the Blue Jays’ first inning with a solo hit to left field for his 12th home run.

Guerrero wasn’t done yet. In the bottom of the sixth, he hit his second sharp single of the game with one out. He then advanced to third on a throwing error by Athletics shortstop Max Schuemann and scored on Alejandro Kirk’s fielder’s choice groundout to third.

“It’s like watching my two kids play like him on the PlayStation,” Berrios said of Guerrero’s recent play.

The Blue Jays’ powerful first baseman hit sharp singles in the first and sixth innings, good for 2-for-4.

His streak resulted in a .506 batting average (39-for-77) with 11 doubles, one triple, 10 homers and 22 RBI.

“The play he made to end the sixth inning is a little overlooked,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “It’s a pretty good play, and it saves Jose a little bit.”

Guerrero nearly made another catch in the fifth inning in foul territory, but couldn’t make a sliding catch. He then pointed to Springer behind him in right field, laughed, and jokingly suggested that Springer should have been there.

“I told him he’s the one with the gold on his glove,” Springer said, referring to Guerrero’s 2022 Gold Glove awards.

The Athletics entered the game with an 11-7 record since the All-Star Break, but they were no match for Berrios.

His seven-inning outing, in which he threw an effective curveball, limited the Athletics to one run, six hits and a walk.

After strong starts from veterans Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman earlier in the week, Berrios was just as good in front of 39,894 spectators at the Rogers Centre.

“I had good control of my throws, especially the curve,” he said.

Toronto rookie shortstop Leo Jimenez also made a memorable diving catch on a line drive from Langeliers, the same victim on Guerrero’s catch.

The teams hit solo home runs early.

Springer hit a 421-run drive into the second deck in left field in the first inning.

Daulton Varsho then hit a hard single to right, but was eliminated as he went from first to third on a single to center by Guerrero.

In the third, Oakland rookie third baseman Darrell Hernaiz hit his first home run in his 77th at bat. His solo blast just cleared the left-field wall to tie the game.

Athletics starter Mitch Spence (7-8) gave up two runs in his 5 2/3 innings and struck out two.

Spencer Horwitz closed out the scoring with a huge solo home run in the third half to right field in the eighth inning.

Reliever Chad Green pitched an errorless ninth inning to earn his 11th save.

CHASING RICKEY

Springer’s leadoff homer was the 58th of his career. Only former Blue Jays outfielder Rickey Henderson has more in Major League Baseball history with 81.

ON THE DECK

Yariel Rodriguez (1-4) will start for Toronto in the middle game of Saturday’s three-game set against Oakland. The Athletics will counter with right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-3).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 9, 2024.