Justin Turner hit a home run by himself and got another run with a single, helping the Toronto Blue Jays win their fifth game out of six, beating the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Friday night.
“The batters have been doing really well, from the first to the ninth player,” Turner said about the team’s offense during their winning streak. “When you can force their starting pitcher out of the game early and face their bullpen, that’s a good sign that you’ll do well.”
Toronto’s relief pitcher Bowden Francis (2-2) got the win, giving up only one hit and no runs in two innings.
“Turner had a great night, hitting a home run to center field is hard here,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He set the tone for us. He continues to have really good at-bats.”
San Diego’s starter Matt Waldron (0-2) got the loss. The 27-year-old right-hander allowed seven hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings.
The Padres, who had won five of their last seven games before Friday, haven’t won any of Waldron’s starts this season.
Turner, who used to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers and was booed by Padres fans, hit a solo home run in the first inning. Then in the second inning, the Blue Jays scored four runs off Waldron, with key hits including a two-run double by Kevin Kiermaier and a run-scoring single by Turner.
“I wasn’t surprised by the boos,” Turner said. “It’s a sign of recognition. It means I’ve had success here before.”
Toronto’s Yariel Rodriguez, in his second start, pitched well but didn’t get a win. The 27-year-old right-hander allowed three hits and one run while striking out seven in four innings.
“I felt more relaxed and played my style of game today,” Rodriguez said. “I feel very confident.”
Rodriguez, who played for Cuba in the 2023 World Baseball Classic but didn’t play professionally, gave up a solo home run to Fernando Tatis Jr. in the third inning.
“I think my splitter was really effective today,” Schneider said about Rodriguez. “He had a lot of strikeouts. I thought he did great.”
