TORONTO (AP) — José Berríos struck out a career-high 13 over seven innings against his former team and the Toronto Blue Jays backed him with three home runs, hammering the Minnesota Twins 12-3 Saturday.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk and Bo Bichette homered as the streaking Blue Jays won for the ninth time in 10 games. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. added three hits as Toronto set season highs in runs and hits (16).
Jorge Polanco homered for the Twins, who have lost eight of 12 since a six-game winning streak.
Berríos (4-2) allowed two runs and three hits, matching Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw and Milwaukee lefty Eric Lauer for the second-most strikeouts in a game this season. Miami’s Sandy Alcantara struck out 14 against Atlanta on May 28.
“I just tried to be the José Berríos who I am, and I did it,” Berríos said. “I just tried to concentrate, be fresh, focus pitch by pitch, and I did it.”
Five of Berríos first six outs were strikeouts, and he finished his outing by fanning the final two batters he faced.
“His slider was huge,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “It was like a frisbee today.”
After taking no-decisions in his past two starts, Berríos won for the first time since May 17 against Seattle.
“His breaking ball was a real weapon,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “It was a tough day for us because of that.”
Polanco, who roomed with Berríos in Minnesota’s minor leagues, said it felt good to connect off his old pal, even if he came up empty in his next two at-bats.
“He was commanding his pitches,” Polanco said. “He was making good pitches to us and he did well.”
Berríos spent parts of six seasons with the Twins before being traded to the Blue Jays last July. The two-time All-Star faced his old team…
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