Another solid outing from Berrios helps Blue Jays to extra innings win

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BOSTON — Overall, it had been a good six-day run of starting pitching for the Blue Jays, a gleaming sign of optimism for the higher stakes ahead.

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And as tantalizing as that micro run has been, we were still left to wonder how strong that rotation could become if Jose Berrios joins the party full time.

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The inconsistent right hander has taken some strides in that direction recently, adding another big move forward on Wednesday when he allowed just two runs over six innings in a 3-2  extra innings win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

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With the offence stalling, the Jays needed a strong Berrios effort in this one, which was settled on a leadoff double by George Springer in the 10th that drove in advance runner Jackie Bradley Jr..

They had every opportunity to lose it before then, too.  The Jays got out of jams in each of the seventh and eighth innings as the Red Sox had the bases loaded in each but couldn’t cash.

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In the seventh, Yimi Garcia got Rob Refsnyder to fly out to centre. And in the next inning, Anthony Bass bailed out Tim Mayza’s mess by striking out the two Boston batters he faced.

Jordan Romano pitched the 10th to earn the save for a team that is getting hot again at the right time.

With the win, the Jays have now won six of their past seven, have guaranteed a series victory in this three-gamer against the Sox and are 5-1 on the seven-game road trip.

Momentum, it would appear, is building as the team tucked inside the quarter pole of the 162-game season and seems poised for the stretch run.

As for Berrios, the one pitch of the 87 he threw that he would like to have back was the second-inning offering to Franchy Cordero that ended up over the Green Monster for a two-run Red Sox homer.

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But Berrios seemed to get stronger the deeper his night went, retiring the past six batters he faced.

“Obviously with Berrios there have been some inconsistencies there, but when he’s good, he’s been great,” Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said of the opening-day starter who has under-achieved at times but still has 13 quality starts after Wednesday’s outing. “When he hasn’t been good it’s seemed to spiral.”

On Wednesday the right hander — who was signed to a seven-year, $131-million US extension in December — was far more good than not.

Significantly, on this road trip he’s taken steps to erase the narrative  that he can only pitch in the friendly confines of the Rogers Centre. The Cordero homer provided the only runs he allowed here and last week against the Yankees, Berrios surrendered just one earned over six.

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Two solid to strong outings in two difficult road venues.

“We’re talking about a No. 1 pitcher, right?,” manager John Schneider said when asked about the prospect of having an ace-like Berrios at his disposal. “We’re talking about a guy we obviously believe in … his track record speaks for itself.

“So if he can continue to do what he’s doing down the stretch, that’s a huge shot in the arm for us.”

Certainly a one-two-three punch of (pick your order) Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman and an improved Berrios would be a formidable trio for a playoff series.

Of course, as we sit today, Ross Stripling would most likely fit in that top group. Regardless, the rotation is trending towards being a strength for the Jays and doing so at a most opportune time.

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“I felt some good momentum in New York with these guys and we were hoping to continue that here,” Walker said. “I think if you see that over the next turn (of the rotation) I feel really good about the stretch run.”

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GAME ON

Play of the game — and perhaps one of the best of the season — was a gem by third baseman Matt Chapman to trigger an inning-ending double play in the third. Playing closer to shortstop than third, Chapman pounced to his right to snag a Rafael Devers liner then calmly threw to Bo Bichette, who completed the fantastic sequence with a throw to Vladimir Guerrero at first base … With a pair of double plays turned on Wednesday, Chapman leads all AL third baseman in that category with 33 … And how about Bass’s clutch two strikeout effort in the eighth, a huge reason this one went to extras … Alejandro Kirk had hits in each of his first three at-bats and somewhat remarkably, two of them were infield singles … Rough night at the plate for Teoscar Hernandez would be an understatement as the Jays’ No. 5 hitter struck out in each of his four appearances.

LOOKING FORWARD

The $300-million renovations to the Rogers Centre due to get underway this off-season will come with an early 2023 price on the field.

The Jays will open their next season with a 10-game road trip through St. Louis and Kansas City (terrible April venues) before moving on to Anaheim. The home opener won’t place until April 11 when the Tigers come to town.

With the reformatted schedule debuting in 2023, the Jays will play 46 inter-inter-league games, double that of 2022. Included in the national league stops will be Colorado, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati and the New York Mets.