TORONTO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Meet a new boss, same as the old boss?
That could be the Boston Red Sox mantra as they plod towards the end of the 2023 season.
Toronto slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a three-run home run, Jose Berrios pitched seven strong innings and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting Boston Red Sox 3-0 Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.
The Blue Jays (81-67) ended a four-game losing streak and are 4-4 on a 10-game homestand. They were coming off a four-game sweep by the Texas Rangers.
The Red Sox (74-74) were coming off a split of a doubleheader against the visiting New York Yankees on Thursday. Justin Turner hit two doubles to lead the Boston offense.
Berrios (11-10) allowed five hits and no walks while striking out eight.
Boston right-hander Brayan Bello (12-9) gave up the three-run homer to Guerrero, along with three other hits and one walk in six innings, He had a career-best 10 strikeouts.
Toronto took a 3-0 lead in the third. Alejandro Kirk led off the inning with a check-swing double down the right field line. Kirk was out at third on Daulton Varsho’s grounder to shortstop. Bo Bichette walked with two outs and Guerrero hit his 23rd home run of the season on a blast to left-center field.
Berrios retired 10 straight before Turner doubled for the second time with two outs in the sixth. Alex Verdugo struck out to end the inning.
Masataka Yoshida led off the top of the seventh with a single. He was out at second on Wilyer Abreu’s grounder to first. Berrios ended the inning with a strikeout and a flyout.
Jordan Hicks replaced Berrios and pitched a perfect eighth with one strikeout.
Jordan Romano pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning with two strikeouts to record his 35th save of the season.
Notes: Berrios wore No. 21 in honor of Roberto Clemente, who was celebrated across baseball Friday.
Boston first baseman Triston Casas (sore shoulder) was a late scratch but could play Saturday.
Red Sox reliever Chris Murphy, recalled from Triple-A Worcester, struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh and added a perfect eighth.
–Field Level Media