Tapia drives in 3, Berrios gets win as Jays beat Orioles 6-3

Sat, Sep 17, 2022
MLB News (AP)

TORONTO (AP) - Raimel Tapia hit a three-run double, Jose Berrios pitched six innings to remain unbeaten against Baltimore, and the Toronto Blue Jays strengthened their position atop the AL wild card standings by beating the Orioles 6-3 Saturday.

George Springer had two hits and two RBIs, and Matt Chapman drove in a run and scored a run as Toronto (83-63) improved to 13-4 in September. The Blue Jays have won six of their last seven against Baltimore (75-69).

The Blue Jays lead the wild card race ahead of Seattle and Tampa Bay. Baltimore is five games back of the Rays, who played later Saturday, for the last wild card.

Berrios (11-5) allowed two runs and seven hits to win his third straight decision. He is 8-0 with a 3.04 ERA in 11 starts against the Orioles.

Tim Mayza worked the seventh, Yimi Garcia gave up an RBI single in the eighth and Jordan Romano finished for his 34th save in 38 chances.

Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish (3-7) allowed five runs - three earned - and six hits in 4 2/3 innings, his second straight loss.

Baltimore reliever Bryan Baker, who sparked a benches-clearing confrontation after gesturing to Toronto's Teoscar ??Hernandez during a Sept. 6 game at Oriole Park, worked the seventh. Baker pitched around a pair of singles, striking out ??Hernandez to end the inning.

Tapia cleared the bases with a two-out double to center in the fifth, giving the Blue Jays a four-run lead. He also made a sensational leaping catch at the top of the left field wall to retire Orioles leadoff batter Cedric Mullins in the first, wagging his finger in the air after coming down with the ball.

Orioles third baseman Ramon Urias made a throwing error on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s one-out grounder in the fifth, leading to three unearned runs.

Chapman hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning and Springer made it 3-0 with a two-run double in the second.

Orioles rookie Gunnar Henderson cut the deficit to one run with a two-run, bases-loaded single in the third, but Berrios retired Terrin Vavra and Rougned Odor to end the rally.

Trailing 3-2 with runners at first and third and two out in the fourth, Baltimore tried to sneak the tying run home with a delayed double steal. Toronto caught Mullins in a rundown between third and home for the third out.

BUMPED AND BRUISED

After taking Tapia's bad hop grounder off his chin on the final play of the first inning, Baltimore slugger Ryan Mountcastle took a Berrios fastball off the left elbow to begin the second. Mountcastle stayed in to run the bases following a lengthy visit from the trainer, but Jesus Aguilar came on to play first base in the bottom half. The Orioles said X-rays on Mountcastle's elbow did not reveal a fracture.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: C Alejandro Kirk (left hip) sat for the fourth straight day but ran on the field before the game.

TRAFFIC ON THE BASES

With runners at second and third in the second, Odor hit a high pop up that came down almost right on top of second base, where Vavra was standing. Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette collided with Vavra as he tracked the ball but kept his footing and reached back to make the grab.

SPRINGER SOARS

Springer made a headfirst diving catch to retire Urias for the first out of the fourth.

UP NEXT

Orioles RHP Dean Kremer (7-5, 3.34 ERA) faces Blue Jays RHP Alek Manoah (14-7, 2.43 ERA) in Sunday's series finale. Manoah is 3-1 with a 3.07 ERA in seven career games against Baltimore.

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