Daulton Varsho smacked a three-run homer, and José Berríos pitched six shutout innings to help the Toronto Blue Jays secure a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday evening.
Berríos (4-0) gave up six hits, struck out six, and reduced his ERA to 0.85. He has triumphed in all four of his starts for Toronto, which has won six of its last seven games.
“I’m feeling more at ease, more self-assured,” Berríos mentioned. “I believe this season’s beginning has been quite exceptional.” Jordan Romano earned his second save by pitching a scoreless ninth inning.
Varsho’s home run, launched off Randy Vásquez (0-1), concluded a three-run opening inning for the Blue Jays. All the runs were unearned following a throwing error by Padres third baseman Graham Pauley.
“I saw an opportunity to hit a good pitch, so I took it,” Varsho explained about his homer. “It’s about maintaining composure and connecting solidly because you can miss your chance easily. I have a better grasp of my swing and don’t miss my pitch when it’s available.”
It marked Varsho’s third home run in as many games. He also doubled, singled, stole a base, and made an impressive catch while playing.
“He’s performing at a top level right now,” remarked Toronto manager John Schneider. “His swing is in a really good place.”
Vásquez, recently added to the roster from Triple-A El Paso, surrendered four runs—only one of which was earned—and four hits in four innings in his first Major League appearance of the season.
The Padres, who have scored just four runs in their last three games, found themselves trailing 4-0 in the fifth inning.
San Diego had a golden opportunity against Berríos, but Manny Machado popped out on the first pitch with two outs and the bases loaded, ending the scoring threat.
“We had a strategy—we executed it,” Berríos commented on getting Machado out. “Tonight, I felt strong, with good command of my sinker on both sides of the plate.”
Erik Swanson conceded a run in the eighth inning but halted the Padres’ rally by inducing Eguy Rosario to ground out with two outs and runners on second and third, preserving the Blue Jays’ 4-2 lead.
