Berrios stays on track as Jays edge Astros

TORONTO — After an inconsistent year in his first full season with Toronto, Jose Berrios is playing like the reliable starter that the Blue Jays traded for in 2021 and later signed to a long-term deal.

The right-hander made his seventh quality start of the season Thursday night, tossing six innings of four-hit ball in a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros.

“I think it’s execution, confidence and really being convicted with a plan,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “His stuff has always been good. It just comes down to executing.”

Berrios, who had a lofty 5.23 earned-run average last season, has allowed two runs or fewer in six of his last seven outings.

He’s 6-2 with a 2.53 earned-run average over his last 11 starts.

“I remember those last seven outings from 2021 with the Blue Jays,” Berrios said, recalling his strong finish to that season. “I feel the same way [now].”

The Blue Jays (36-28) scored all of their runs in the fifth inning and it held up for a third straight win.

Brandon Belt drove in Matt Chapman with a single for the go-ahead run against Houston starter Framber Valdez (6-5). Toronto has won nine of its last 11 games.

“Starting pitching, pretty good defence and good at-bats up and down,” Schneider said.

Berrios (6-4) allowed two earned runs, two walks and had two strikeouts. Yimi Garcia, Erik Swanson and Jordan Romano each threw a scoreless inning. Romano, from Markham, Ont., closed with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 17th save.

Astros cleanup hitter Alex Bregman opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo shot, his ninth home run of the season. Berrios gave up a walk and two singles to load the bases but kept the damage to a minimum with a run-scoring double-play.

Toronto centre-fielder Kevin Kiermaier was hit by a pitch in the bottom half of the frame. He was pulled from the game in the fourth inning.The Blue Jays said precautionary X-rays were negative and that Kiermaier had a left wrist contusion.