Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extended his hitting streak to 21 games, and José Berríos struck out eight in seven innings as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Oakland Athletics 3-1 on Friday night.
Alejandro Kirk drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, and Spencer Horwitz added some insurance with a solo home run in the eighth, helping the Blue Jays win for the third time in four games.
Guerrero hit two singles, and his streak is the longest active one in the majors.
“It’s crazy,” Berríos said. “It’s like seeing my two kids playing PlayStation with him. He’s been doing whatever he wants with the ball. It’s fun to watch.”
Guerrero is hitting .506 during his streak.
“I think the two hits he got off me were both pitches out of the zone,” Oakland right-hander Mitch Spence said. “He’s seeing the ball really well and he’s an unbelievable hitter. It’s cool to come in and get a chance to face him.”
Guerrero also made a diving catch into the netting and landed in the front row of seats behind first base to catch Shea Langeliers’ foul popup, preventing two runners from scoring in the top of the sixth.
“I told him it was a fake dive into the net,” outfielder George Springer joked. “You know, he has a Gold Glove, he knows how to do it. It’s a huge play right there, obviously.”
Berríos (10-9) gave up one run and six hits. He’s 8-2 with a 2.83 ERA in 12 home starts and 2-7 with a 5.29 ERA in 12 road starts.
“Tonight was huge,” Springer said of Berríos. “That’s pretty much who he is.” Chad Green pitched the ninth inning for his 11th save in 11 opportunities.
Horwitz went 3 for 4, coming within a triple of hitting for the cycle.
Springer hit the 59th leadoff home run of his career, a shot to the second deck in left field. It was Springer’s second leadoff home run this season, having also done it against Detroit on July 21.
